Fed decision pushes Europe stocks higher

European stock markets climbed Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve said it would keep interest rates low for at least two more years.

The Stoxx 600 index XX:SXXP +0.78%  gained 0.4% to 255.91, snapping a two-day losing streak.

The British FTSE 100 index UK:UKX +1.10%  edged 0.5% higher to 5,750.34, the French CAC 40 index FR:PX1 +0.98%  rose 0.8% to 3,337.49, while the DAX 30 index DX:DAX +1.41%  added 0.5% to 6,452.70 in Germany. 

Shares across Europe were inspired by gains on Wall Street and in Asia, as the Fed announced it expects interest rates to stay at “exceptionally low levels” until at least late 2014. Previously the central bank expected rates close to zero to last until mid-2013.

U.S. stock futures were, however, pointing to a lower start for Wall Street later Thursday, with another full schedule of earnings and several economic reports on the calendar, including durable-goods orders for December and weekly jobless claims. 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fed-decision-pushes-europe-stocks-higher-2012-01-26