European stocks closed higher Tuesday, with global markets lacking clear direction ahead of the new round of central bank interest rate decisions.
European markets
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index bounced either side of the flatline in morning trade and closed 0.4% higher, clawing back most of Monday's losses.
Sectors traded across positive and negative territory, with gains led by a 1.2% uptick in healthcare stocks. Oil and gas stocks were down 0.3% as global growth concerns counteracted the weekend's announcement of Saudi output cuts.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said Monday there were "signs of moderation" in core inflation in the euro zone, but emphasized that it was too early to call a peak. The latest data showed inflation easing more than expected for May to 6.1%, but that figure remains well above the 2% target.
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Tuesday, while U.S. stocks were slightly higher.