Paris - European shares rose in early trading on Thursday, with a batch of robust company results from firms including Carrefour and Schroders boosting sentiment.
Investors also awaited the European Central bank (ECB) meeting at which it is set to give further details on its massive bond-buying programme.
Shares in Carrefour rose 1.8% after the world's second-largest retailer said it would boost capital expenditure this year as it seeks to cement a revival of its European hypermarkets.