European stock markets advanced at the start of trading on Thursday, as investors shrugged off fresh losses in Asia.

File photo: CGTN

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 0.3 percent to 5,873.83 points after the Bank of England left its main interest rate at a record-low 0.1 percent.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index won 0.8 percent to 10,693.39 points and the Paris CAC 40 gained 0.5 percent to 4,457.38.