European Shares Rise Ahead of The ECB Meeting Minutes

European stock prices jumped on Thursday after a positive economic outlook released by the US Federal Reserve improved buying interest, and investors turned their attention to the European Central Bank meeting results.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 1.4 percent by 0813 GMT on expectations of the best daily performance in a week, and technology and energy stocks led the gains.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced a long-awaited policy to end its monetary stimulus program in March and signaled the possibility of three rate hikes next year, otherwise, it issued a positive outlook for the economy.

The European Central Bank and the Bank of England will hold their policy meetings later on Thursday. ECB officials are likely to end an emergency procurement program to stimulate the economy launched due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The shares of the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis rose 3.3% after the company launched a new process of repurchasing shares worth up to 15 billion dollars to be implemented at the end of 2023.

Airbus shares rose 3.3 percent after Australian Airlines (Qantas) chose it as the best supplier to change its aircraft fleet instead of Boeing.