European stocks edge higher ahead of key PMI data, ECB minutes
Investing.com — European stock markets edged higher Thursday, as investors awaited the minutes from the October ECB meeting as well as the latest regional business activity data.
At 03:05 ET (08:05 GMT), the DAX index in Germany traded 0.1% higher, the CAC 40 in France traded up 0.2% and the FTSE 100 in the U.K. also rose 0.1%.
The key debate raging in the markets is have the major central banks finished with interest rates to curb inflation, and if so when will they start cutting.
This debate is likely to be informed Thursday by the release of the minutes of the European Central Bank's October meeting, the gathering that saw the ECB snap an unprecedented streak of 10 consecutive rate hikes.
Comments from policy makers following the meeting have tended to muddy the waters, with dovish comments from Governing Council member Mario Centeno contrasting with President Christine Lagarde warning against premature celebration.
Meanwhile, the forward-looking flash November PMIs are also due for release, and are likely to suggest economic activity is contracting in the eurozone.
Investors will also likely contemplate the likely implications of the victory of Dutch anti-EU far-right populist Geert Wilders in parliamentary elections in the Netherlands overnight.
Additionally, British finance minister Jeremy Hunt announced tax cuts for workers as part of the annual Autumn Statement, while also attempting to give businesses permanent investment incentives in an attempt to give the struggling U.K. economy a boost.
In the corporate sector, activity is likely to be limited with the U.S. celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday, but Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) could get a boost with French President Emmanuel Macron set to inaugurate a new
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