Major European indexes finished Thursday in positive territory, with the STOXX Europe 600 adding 0.67%. The DAX increased by 0.62% and the CAC 40 rose by 0.72%. The FTSE 100 gained 0.47%, recovering from early losses. The IBEX 35 and the FTSE MIB advanced by 0.94% and 0.57% respectively.

Due to Easter, stock exchanges in Europe will be closed on Friday and Monday.

Yesterday, the European Central Bank published its policy decision, leaving the interest rate unchanged at 0% despite high inflation. The ECB has kept the interest rate at zero for the past 6 years.

Furthermore, the regulator announced it would finish the APP bond-buying program in Q2 2022. Asset purchases would be reduced to €20 billion by June from the current level of €40 billion.

The ECB's decision has boosted optimism among investors amid attempts by US and UK regulators to quell high inflation by hiking interest rates.

The earnings season for Q1 2022 has begun.

On the STOXX Europe 600, the best performers were Auto1 Group (+12.08%), WizzAir Holdings (+7.75%), and Deliveroo PLC (+6.8%).

Shares of Ericsson lost 4.7% after the company announced a loss of 7.3% in Q1 2022, missing market estimates.

Hermes advanced by 2.7% thanks to increased sales across all market segments and regions, which pushed the company's revenue up by 33%.

Shares of Volkswagen shed 0.3% after the company released its preliminary earnings report. The German automaker increased its operating profit to €8.5 billion, compared to €4.5 billion in 2021.

Shares of ArcelorMittal and Voestalpine AG increased by 12.3% and 1.5% respectively, after ArcelorMittal announced it would acquire a stake in the company for $1 billion.

Atlantia gained 4.3% after Italy's Benetton family and US investment fund Blackstone said they will spend up to €19 billion to take the company private.