Stoxx Europe 600 index rose by 0.39 percent to 498.21 points at the close. In the UK, the FTSE 100 index increased by 0.43 percent to 7,679.31 points, while in Germany, the DAX 30 index gained 0.1 percent to 17,716.71 points. The CAC 40 index in France rose by 0.28 percent to 7,954.74 points, and in Italy, the FTSE MIB 30 index increased by 0.66 percent to 33,363.84 points.

The euro/dollar exchange rate traded at 1.091 level at 20:23 GMT, gaining 0.5 percent.

European markets focused on the upcoming interest rate decision of the European Central Bank (ECB) tomorrow and the subsequent speech by ECB President Christine Lagarde.

Germany’s exports recorded a higher-than-expected increase of 6.3 percent in January.