European stocks edged higher on Thursday as investors kept a close eye on escalating Middle East tensions and awaited the European Central Bank's (ECB) rate decision for direction.
To address rising inflationary pressures, the ECB is likely to raise its deposit facility rate by 25 bps to 2.25 percent and the main refinancing rate by 25 bps to 2.40 percent.
ECB Chief Christine Lagarde will hold the customary press conference to discuss the policy decision and address market questions at 8.45 am ET.
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Market Analysis
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.