On Thursday European stocks advanced for the eighth time in nine days before a report that may show the number of Americans filing claims for jobless benefits fell. Asian shares were little changed and U.S. index futures gained.

Man Group Plc rose 3 percent after the world’s biggest hedge-fund manager reported increased assets. ASML Holding NV and Solvay SA rose more than 2 percent as UBS AG recommended buying both stocks. ThyssenKrupp AG fell 5.1 percent as Germany’s largest steelmaker is selling as much as Eur1.68 billion euros in shares to reduce debt.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 0.4 percent before the European Central Bank’s decision on interest rates. The advance extends the rally since the start of last week to 4.5 percent. The measure has still fallen more than 5 percent from its February high amid speculation the region’s fiscal crisis will derail the economic recovery.

European reports during the day showed German industrial production and U.K. factory output both increased in May.

The ECB will raise interest rates for the second time this year when council members meet in Frankfurt during the day, increasing the benchmark by 25 basis points to 1.5 percent, according to forecasts. The central bank may increase borrowing costs further in the fourth quarter, according to a separate survey.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European stocks was up after falling 0.3 percent in the previous session to snap a seven-session winning streak. Early gains were reflected in a rise in risk appetite as equity market volatility in Europe, as measured by the Euro STOXX 50 volatility index, fell 0.8 percent.

Asian stocks closed mixed with Chinese bank shares rising in Hong Kong on hopes that an interest rate hike by the country’s central bank will be the last for this year.