European stocks rise as UK GDP jumps and Iran peace talks remain in focus

LONDON — European stocks opened slightly higher on Thursday, following Asian markets higher, as investors assess strong U.K. GDP data and await Eurozone inflation data for March.

Markets also continue to keep a close eye on the progress of peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

Shortly after the opening bell, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index was seen 0.25% higher, its sectors painting a mixed picture.

Miners and technology stocks led gains, while telecoms lagged the broader index.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index and France's CAC 40 both opened up 0.2%, while Germany's DAX nudged 0.13% higher and Italy's FTSE MIB rose 0.5%.

The British economy surpassed expectations with 0.5% growth in February, compared to forecasts of just 0.1%, according to official data published Thursday.

However, the outbreak of the Iran war at the end of February is set to derail U.K. growth prospects. The war is also expected to have had a significant impact on eurozone inflation data, due later in the day.

In corporate news, shares in EasyJet fell on Thursday after it warned that the Iran war and higher fuel prices are weighing on customer bookings.

The airline said it took on roughly £25 million ($34 million) in additional fuel costs in the first half due to the U.S-Iran war. It expects airline costs to remain tied to volatile fuel prices over the coming months.

Shares dropped as much as 8.7%, before paring losses to last trade down 3.2%.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview broadcast Wednesday that the conflict was "very close to over," fueling market optimism that peace talks could resume and a resolution be found.

The Associated Press, citing regional officials, reported Wednesday that the U.S. and Iran had an "in principle agreement" to extend their fragile two-week ceasefire in order to allow for more diplomacy.

But a senior U.S. official told CNBC that the U.S. "has not formally agreed to an extension of the ceasefire."

"There is continued engagement between the U.S. and Iran to reach a deal," added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration's internal plans.

Overnight, Japan's Nikkei 225 hit a record amid a broader rally in Asia markets, tracking gains on Wall Street on Wednesday as hopes of a U.S.-Iran deal grew. U.S. stock futures were little changed on Wednesday night after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose to fresh records during the regular session.