The London FTSE index is called to open 64 points higher at 6,527, the German DAX 69 points higher at 9,442 and the French CAC down 38 points at 4,123, according to IG.

Europe is anticipating a higher open for markets on Thursday following a rebound in the U.S. on Wednesday on the back of a rise in oil prices and dovish minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve`s June meeting.

Federal Reserve policymakers said it was prudent to wait for more data and the Brexit vote result before raising rates, and cited a slowdown in hiring as a reason to keep rates unchanged last month, according to meeting minutes released Wednesday afternoon. The non-farm payrolls report due Friday will be the next key data followed by markets.

Hopes that the U.K.`s vote to leave the European Union (EU) could prompt further easing by central banks around the world – or at least a delay in interest rate rises in the U.S. – is seen as a major driver for positive market sentiment.

Oil markets are also being watched after prices rose in early trading on Thursday. The increase was supported by a report of another fall in U.S. crude inventories as well as a weaker dollar, although a glut of refined products and economic growth concerns continue to weigh on markets, Reuters reported.

Asia markets were trading mixed on Thursday, however, despite a stronger finish in the U.S. that followed a rise in oil prices and the release of the dovish Fed minutes.

In other news, the number of British property funds suspended after the country`s vote to leave the EU rose to seven on Wednesday, leaving over 18 billion pounds ($23 billion) frozen in the biggest seizing up of investment funds since the 2008 financial crisis, Reuters reported.

In business news, Danone said it would acquire WhiteWave Foods in a deal that values the U.S. organic foods producer at $12.5 billion, in what would be the French company`s biggest acquisition in 10 years.

A number of companies also reported trading updates and earnings. Britain`s Marks & Spencer reported an 8.9 percent like-for-like fall in clothing and home sales in the 13 weeks to July 2, while food sales 0.9 percent. The retailer said it was "too early to quantify the implications of Brexit" and reiterated its full-year guidance.

U.K. retailer Sports Direct reported an 8.4 percent year-on-year decline in pretax profit for the year ending April 24.

Primark owner Associated British Foods said revenue for the 40 weeks ended June 18 was 3 percent ahead of the same period last year at constant currency. Sales at Primark in the year-to-date were 7 percent ahead of last year.

British housebuilder Bovis Homes said it had traded in line with expectations in the first half of 2016 and it is "too early" to assess the impact of the country`s EU referendum.

On the data front, U.K. industrial and manufacturing production figures for June are due.

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