European shares rose on Wednesday, led by gains in technology-related stocks ahead of key inflation data from the United States, with chocolate maker Barry Callebaut jumping to its highest in more than three months after the company reported results.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.7 percent by 0717 GMT, led by the technology sector, which rose 1.2 percent after upbeat quarterly revenue from Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC.
U.S. consumer price data for March, due at 1230 GMT, is likely to provide clues about when the Federal Reserve could start cutting interest rates, given recent U.S. data that reflects the strength of the economy and labor market.
Among individual stocks, Barry Callebaut reported upbeat half-year earnings on the back of higher cocoa prices, sending the chocolate maker's shares up 8.1 percent.
Italgas shares fell 0.9 percent after a report said the Italian gas distributor had made a preliminary offer worth 4-5 billion euros ($4.3-5.4 billion) to buy its main domestic rival 2i Reti Gas.
Koninklijke Philips (AS:PHG) shares rose 5.8 percent after the medical equipment maker reached an agreement with the U.S. government on a consent decree relating to Respironics' business operations in the country.
