European Stocks Edge Higher Ahead of ECB Rate Hike

European stock markets edged higher on Thursday after their biggest decline in two months as investors awaited an interest rate hike from the European Central Bank.

The widely forecast increase, which is expected to be a 25-basis-point hike, comes amid concerns about inflation fueled by rising oil prices.

Brent crude remained above $100 a barrel on Thursday after Iran and the United States launched their largest wave of attacks on shipping since the six-month-old conflict began.

The pan-European STOXX 600 was up 0.1% at 641.23 points, while Germany's DAX was flat, London's FTSE edged 0.1% higher, and France's CAC 40 gained 0.3%.