European stocks rose slightly on Wednesday as investors awaited key U.S. inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve's policy moves.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index gained 0.3% in morning trade, led by a 1% rise in technology stocks.
Headline CPI and core inflation readings for June, due at 1230 GMT, will show whether inflation pressures are easing in the world's largest economy. A moderation in inflation could spark bets that the Fed may scale back the pace of interest rate hikes after July.
Markets expect a 92% chance of a 25 basis point hike at the Fed's July meeting. A sharper-than-expected pullback in inflation could see bets of a September hike decline.
Shares of semiconductor companies ASML Holding and Infineon Technologies rose as much as 2.2% after Jefferies raised its price targets on the stocks.
Norway's largest bank DNB opened 1.1% lower even as its second-quarter profit topped estimates, lifted by higher rates and a robust economy.
