European Shares Advance Ahead of ECB Rate Decision and US PCE Data

European equities climbed on Thursday as investors awaited the European Central Bank's policy decision and U.S. core PCE inflation data. The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.6% to 647.92, while Germany's DAX gained 0.9% and France's CAC 40 added 1.0%. Markets had started the session steady before building momentum, aided by earnings updates including Shell's $5 billion buyback increase and Adidas's raised guidance. The ECB is widely expected to keep its deposit facility rate at 2.50%, though rate futures price an 80% probability of a 25-basis-point hike in December amid elevated energy prices.