European stocks edged broadly higher on Thursday. Investors monitored US President Donald Trump's ongoing trip to China.
By early morning, the Stoxx 600 rose 0.4%, the Dax gained 1.1%, the CAC 40 climbed 0.6%, and the FTSE 100 was flat.
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping ended their first round of talks at a two-day summit. Xi said trade negotiations were progressing, but warned that US pushback on Taiwan could strain relations.
Markets are keen for updates on discussions about the Iran war. Some analysts suggest Trump may push China to guarantee a peace agreement, though it's unclear if Beijing will accept.
The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens the global economy. About a fifth of global oil flows through the strait.
Oil prices crept higher. Brent crude futures hovered above $105 a barrel, up from a pre-war level of $70. This spike fuels inflation fears, highlighted by US data this week.
Beyond the war, European earnings season continues. Burberry reported better-than-expected Q4 sales. Allegro raised its annual outlook for its international unit.
