European stock markets rose on Thursday, buoyed by some solid corporate earnings at the likes of BT, and a rise in the shares of major oil companies.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index, which had fallen 1.2 per cent to its lowest level in nearly a month in the previous session, rebounded slightly to stand 0.3 per cent higher.

BT was one of the best-performing stocks in the region, rising 3.1 per cent after BT reported a better-than-expected 6 per cent rise in full-year earnings.

Firmer oil prices also lifted the shares of major oil producers, with Spanish oil major Repsol up 4.5 per cent despite posting lower first quarter profits.

Reuters