European shares opened higher on Thursday, with sentiment lifted companies such as advertising group Havas, producing well received updates.

The U.K. FTSE 100 index rose 0.8 percent at 6,483.70, the German DAX 30 index rose 0.9 percent at 7,872.71 and the French CAC-40 index advanced 0.8 percent at 5,736.28.