European stocks were set to rise on Thursday, as higher commodity prices lend support to shares of mining and energy companies but volumes could remain thin as many investors stayed away for the holiday.
Oil held steady just below $96 a barrel on supply concerns, while metal prices were on the rise.
Financial bookmakers, or spread betters, in London expected Britain's FTSE-100 index to open between 2 points lower and 4 points higher, the German DAX 85 to 89 points higher and the French CAC 40 20 points lower to 17 points higher.