BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks traded higher on Wednesday ahead of the release of Eurozone inflation data and the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision.
Sentiment was underpinned as oil prices fell despite heightened geopolitical risks, with Iran's supreme national security council confirming the death of its chief, Ali Larijani.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.4 percent at 604.56 after rising 0.7 percent on Tuesday.
The German DAX gained half a percent, France's CAC 40 surged 0.7 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was up 0.2 percent.
British insurer Prudential fell 2.2 percent despite reporting a 12 percent rise in annual new business profit, lifting dividend and announcing a $1.3 billion capital return in 2027.
Oil & gas explorer Ithaca Energy lost nearly 6 percent after its 2025 adjusted profit was hit by one-off costs.
Diploma, the specialist distributor of industrial controls, seals and life sciences products, soared 17 percent after lifting its FY26 guidance.
Lender Barclays gained 2 percent after it announced a new strategic partnership with Sage Group.
French vaccine maker Valneva was moving lower after widening its FY25 net loss.
Technip Energies rose 1.4 percent. The global technology & engineering powerhouse leading in energy and decarbonization infrastructure has launched a share buyback program for a maximum amount of 150 million euros.
German electrolysis equipment maker Thyssenkrupp Nucera slumped 8 percent after slashing its full-year outlook.
Meal kit company HelloFresh plummeted 7 percent after it reported weaker than expected fourth-quarter core earnings and forecast lower profit in 2026.
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