European stock markets nudge higher in choppy trade on Thursday, with investors remaining cautious ahead of the European Central Bank’s policy meeting and a Spanish debt sale later in the day.

European stock markets nudge higher in choppy trade on Thursday, with investors remaining cautious ahead of the European Central Bank’s policy meeting and a Spanish debt sale later in the day.

Most European stock markets rise on Friday, as encouraging Chinese data boost risk appetite, although Spanish stocks slump after a short-selling ban was lifted.

European stock markets are broadly lower in choppy trade on Thursday, after a mixed bag of earnings from the region’s companies and downbeat comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Banks lead Europe stocks lower on the last trading day of the year, as worries over U.S. budget negotiations dominate the trading mood after policy makers failed to reach an agreement over the weekend.

Banks lead Europe stocks lower on the last trading day of the year, as worries over U.S. budget negotiations dominate the trading mood after policy makers failed to reach an agreement over the weekend.

European stock markets climb on Thursday, after U.S. policy makers express optimism they can reach a deal to avert the “fiscal cliff” in time, luring investors into taking on more risk.

European stock markets climb on Thursday, after U.S. policy makers express optimism they can reach a deal to avert the “fiscal cliff” in time, luring investors into taking on more risk.