European stocks open higher ahead of US rate decision

European stocks opened higher today, the first gain in the last 3 days, ahead of the US Federal Reserve's rate decisions at the end of its monetary policy meeting, with strong bets for an interest rate cut for the second time during this year to counter the growing economic risks.

As of 10:07 GMT, Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose by 0.2%, as it closed yesterday lower by 0.1%, its second straight daily loss after the Saudi attacks.

The index rose today, to head for its first daily gain in the last 3 days, as most of the European markets and sectors rose.

The energy sector rose by 0.5%, due to the global oil prices jump, following the disruption of Saudi oil supplies due to sabotage attacks.

Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserve will conclude its meeting and unveil its rate decision later today, with forecasts of a 25bp cut to 2.0%, for the second time this year, after the first cut since 2008 last July, as the Federal Reserve's target is currently to counter the global growing risks.

S&P 500 futures fell by 0.1%, as it closed higher by 0.3% yesterday in Wall Street.

Euro Stoxx 50 index rose by 0.2%, in France the CAC 40 rose by 0.2%, while Germany's DAX rose 0.1%, and in London, the FTSE 100 rose by 0.1%.