LONDON (Reuters) - European stocks rose on Thursday as investors traded hesitantly before European Central Bank and Bank of England meetings, while trade-sensitive autos and mining shares gained on news of new talks between the U.S. and China.
The pan-European STOXX 600 <.STOXX> rose 0.2 percent by 0722 GMT, with Germany's DAX <.GDAXI> up 0.3 percent.
Mining shares <.SXPP> climbed 0.9 percent and autos <.SXAP> rose 0.7 percent, the best-performing sectors, after U.S. officials invited China to new trade talks, which the Chinese foreign ministry welcomed.
Investors were waiting for decisions from the ECB and the BoE, particularly for any details on the ECB’s plans to halve its asset purchases and – from the BoE – any comments on Brexit negotiations.
Dealmaking and results led to some strong stock moves. French bank Natixis <CNAT.PA> gained 4.9 percent to top the STOXX after it decided to sell several specialized finance businesses to its parent, BPCE, and use part of the 2.7 billion euros ($3.1 billion) in proceeds for acquisitions.
Commerzbank <CBKG.DE> shares topped the DAX, rising 2.1 percent, after news Deutsche Bank was considering an overhaul to loosen the bond between its retail and investment banks, making it easier to merge some or all of the group with rival lenders.
Electrical components supplier Rubis <RUBF.PA> fell as much as 14 percent after reporting disappointing first-half profit. German meal delivery firm Delivery Hero <DHER.DE> also suffered a 4.3 percent drop after its first-half results.
French tyre maker Michelin <MICP.PA> rose 2.3 percent after it confirmed its 2018 financial outlook, saying signs of growth in Europe and North America would offset a slowdown in China.
Among UK stocks, Morrisons <MRW.L> fell 1.9 percent despite forecast-beating profits for the first half.
Small-cap Debenhams <DEB.L> tumbled 6.8 percent after Sports Direct ruled out a bid for the department store operator.
Adyen <ADYEN.AS> shares fell 8.7 percent after the company placed 2.46 billion shares.
(Reporting by Helen Reid, editing by Larry King)
