European stock markets rose at the start of trading Thursday ahead of key US inflation data and as investors reacted to mixed economic news out of France.
London's benchmark FTSE 100 index grew 0.2 percent to 7,437.39 points.
In the eurozone, the Paris CAC 40 index edged up 0.1 percent to 7,273.89 points, as official data showed both slowing inflation and a contraction to economic growth in France.
Frankfurt's DAX advanced 0.2 percent to 16,200.71.
Focus later will switch to the United States with the release there of inflation data.
