European stocks were slightly higher Thursday morning, as investors monitored corporate earnings and reacted to fresh setbacks in trade talks between the world's two largest economies.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up around 0.1 percent during early morning deals, with most sectors and major bourses in positive territory.
Technology stocks were the top performers on Thursday, up around 0.9 percent, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. Siltronic, Temenos and Ericsson each rose more than 1.5 percent during early morning deals.
Europe's autos stocks led the losses shortly after the opening bell, down over 1 percent following news overnight that the U.S. government plans to launch a national security probe into auto imports. The surprise announcement came at a time of worsening friction over trade between the United States and several other countries, amid fears Washington's investigation could lead to new global charges. Porsche, Daimler and BMW were all trading around 2 percent lower on the news.
Looking at individual stocks, Electrocomponents soared to the top of index as it reported a 32 percent rise in full-year pre-tax profits on Thursday. The London-listed stock also announced it had reached an agreement to acquire outsourcing firm IESA for around £88 million ($117.5 million). Shares of Electrocomponenets were nearly 9 percent higher.
Meanwhile, Swiss food company Aryzta slumped to the bottom of the European benchmark amid earnings news. The firm reported a 17 percent drop in third-quarter revenues on Thursday and slashed its earnings outlook for the second time this fiscal year. Its shares were more than 24 percent lower.
Trade talks
Meanwhile, adding to souring investor sentiment, Trump said Wednesday that an ongoing trade dispute between Washington and Beijing would need "a different structure." In response, China's Commerce Ministry said Thursday it had not promised to slash its trade surplus with the U.S. by a specific figure.
On the data front, British retail sales data for April is due to be reported shortly after Thursday's opening bell.
