European shares inch up ahead of US jobs data

European shares inch up ahead of US jobs data

Healthcare, industrials and miners boosted the STOXX 600, but the auto sector slipped 0.4% as France's Faurecia slid 5.1%.

The auto parts supplier said it launched a 705 million euro ($758 million) capital increase to fund its acquisition of German rival Hella.

Miners and energy stocks also fell. Oil prices were lower after OPEC+ decided to increase production.

On the data front, investors are hoping that any signs of a slowdown in U.S. employment could sway the Fed toward a less aggressive policy path after its members signalled overnight that tightening may not end in September should inflation continue to rise.

Meanwhile, data this week showing record high inflation in the euro zone spurred bets that the ECB may be forced to tighten sooner or make larger interest rate hikes.

The central bank has so far signalled plans to start raising rates in July to reach 0% or above by September.

"In view of the dramatic inflation trend and the fact that the ECB is so clearly 'behind the curve', compared with the Fed, the ECB's language should tend to become more hawkish," Commerzbank analysts wrote in a note.

European equity markets started the week on a stronger footing after China eased some COVID-19 restrictions and revealed