European stocks rose at the start of trading on Tuesday, supported by financial sector shares as markets anticipate a monetary easing cycle in the United States that could start with a large interest rate cut.
By 0713 GMT, the pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 0.6 percent at 518.16 points, with Britain's FTSE 100 outperforming its European peers with a 0.7 percent gain.
All sectors advanced, led by the financial sector sub-index, which rose 1 percent, and the banking sector sub-index, which advanced 0.8 percent.
Investors are awaiting the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates tomorrow, Wednesday, at a time when markets are betting on a 67 percent chance of a 50 basis point cut.
Markets are also awaiting the results of the German sentiment survey, due at 0900 GMT.
Kingfisher was the top gainer, up 6.6 percent after the European home improvement retailer raised the lower end of its full-year profit forecast.
Shares of Swiss-Belgian chocolate maker Barry Callebaut rose 6.2 percent after Barclays upgraded the stock.
