The mixed results limit the gains of European shares before the ECB

European stock prices stabilized on Thursday after the release of mixed business results for several companies, while investors awaited the decisions of the European Central Bank amid risks to economic growth from rising inflation.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was little changed by 0722 GMT after the strong closing of US stocks and the rise of Asian stocks. The eurozone stock index rose 0.2 percent.

Luxury goods company Hermes rose 2.2 percent after its quarterly sales beat estimates.

The travel and tourism sector was the biggest gainer in Europe, with the share of low-cost airline Wizz Company increasing 5.3 percent.

Ericsson, which has been criticized for its handling of a bribery investigation in Iraq, fell 8.7 percent after it warned of a new US fine and announced a decline in its quarterly profit.

The ECB decision expected at 1145 GMT will provide a clearer picture of ending its bond-buying program and the subsequent rate hike.