[LONDON] European stock markets rose at the start of trade on Thursday, lifted by a positive performance in Asia.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of major blue-chip companies climbed 0.4 per cent to 6,686.52 points.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 rose 0.2 per cent to 14,010.03 points and the Paris CAC 40 added 0.5 per cent to 5,823.85.

Another US Federal Reserve reassurance it would not hike interest rates until absolutely necessary buoyed Asian markets Thursday, while traders were also taking heart from positive developments on the vaccine front.

AFP