After the Bank of Japan decided to keep interest rates unchanged, European stock index futures pointed to a higher open as all eyes are on the European Central Bank which is due to announce its interest rate decision later on Thursday. Investors also remain focused on earnings as a number of companies report their quarterly results on Thursday.

The DAX is set to begin the day 0.06% in the green, the CAC 40 is to rise 0.84% and the EuroStoxx 50 is seen as opening 0.40% higher. London's FTSE 100 is expected to increase 0.26% in the first minutes of trade.

The euro was flat against the dollar changing hands at 1.15145 at 8:13 am CET.