European shares opened slightly higher on Thursday as investors eyed US jobless data later in the day for any sign of an economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The benchmark Stoxx 600 index was up 0.37% in early trade, with most regional bourses following suit. US futures indicated a cautious start.
In equity news, shares in Anglo-Swedish drugs maker AstraZeneca rose 1.92% as the company posted a spike in final revenues, fuelled by strong demand for its oncology drugs, and predicted further strong growth for the current year.
The company, which last year developed a Covid-19 vaccine in conjunction with Oxford University, said total revenues rose 9% to $26.6bn in the year to December 31, 2020. Product sales rose 10% to $25.9bn.
Royal Mail shares rose 6.47% as the delivery firm said it expected full-year group adjusted profit to be “well in excess” of £500m after a strong rise in parcel revenues over Christmas period.
Coca-Cola Co shares rose 5.4% as the drinks giant forecast a return to organic revenue growth this year.
French electricals distributor Rexel soared as the company’s fourth quarter sales exceeded expectations.
Germany’s Commerzbank fell 2.9% as the lender said its loss deepened in the fourth quarter.
