FTSE 100 up 0.65%; DAX up 0.23%; CAC 40 up 0.59% (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milan, 18 Jul - European shares inched up and were higher in cautious midday trade, halting a three-day drop.

Investors remained on the sidelines as they awaited the European Central Bank's interest rate decision later today.

The markets are widely expecting the ECB to leave rates unchanged, but investors will be looking for clues on the path ahead for monetary policy.

Data from European Union statistical office Eurostat showed yesterday that in June consumer prices in the eurozone rose by 2.5% compared to the year earlier, down from 2.6% the previous month and in line with preliminary indications.

Traders also monitored earnings reports from major European companies including Novartis, Volvo, Ubisoft and Nokia.

At 1055 GMT, the London FTSE 100 was up 0.65% at 8,241 points, the Frankfurt DAX was up 0.23% at 18,486 points, the Paris CAC 40 up 0.59% at 7,615 points, while in Milan the FTSE MIB was up 0.67% at 34,610 points, and in Madrid the IBEX 35 was up 0.74% at 11,187 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 18-07-24 13:24:10 (0358) 5 NNNN