By Carla Mozee, MarketWatch

European stocks popped higher Thursday, with investors waiting for a signal that the European Central Bank may be considering pumping more stimulus into the eurozone economy.

The Stoxx Europe 600 rose 1.7% to 359.95, with all sectors moving higher, led by the technology, basic materials and health care sectors. In the health care group, Novartis AG (NOVN.VX) shares tacked on 1.6% after the pharmaceutical company said it will start selling a copycat version (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/novartis-to-begin-selling-neupogen-copy-in-us-2015-09-03) of Amgen Inc.'s (AMGN) blockbuster cancer drug Neupogen.

On the country indexes, Germany's DAX 30 was up 1.8% to 10,226.30, France's CAC 30 moved up 1.5% to 4,624.78, and Spain's IBEX 35 gained 1% to 10,033.90. In London, the FTSE 100 rose 1.8% to 6,192.71.

Equities held to higher ground after Markit's eurozone services PMI for August came in at 54.4 in its final reading, slightly higher than the initial, or flash, estimate of 54.3. The volatile Chinese markets, which have swayed global markets, are closed for two days for a holiday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-to-close-stock-market-to-honor-world-war-ii-anniversary-2015-09-01).

Thursday's main event for the markets comes in the afternoon, when ECB President Mario Draghi gives a press conference on the central bank's latest policy decision at 1:30 p.m. London time, or 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. That rate announcement is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. London time.

Read: 5 things to watch at Thursday's ECB meeting (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-things-to-watch-at-thursdays-ecb-meeting-2015-09-02).

Investors will look for any sign that the ECB is on course to extend or expand measures aimed at bolstering inflation levels and boosting the eurozone economy, as fears linger about slowing global growth led by China. The impact of plunging commodity prices may also play a role in the ECB's staff projections for the economic growth and inflation.

"Although we expect no policy change from the ECB this week, the implicit tightening of monetary conditions through the 3% rise in [the euro trade-weighted index] since the last meeting should keep the tone dovish" and negative for the euro, said Keng Goh, associate FX strategist at RBC Capital Markets, in a note.

The "turmoil in emerging markets, collapsing inflation expectations and continued uncertainty in Greece all should encourage the ECB to maintain a steady hand," said Goh.

The euro was trading at $1.1239 versus $1.1240 late Wednesday in New York.

(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-things-to-watch-at-thursdays-ecb-meeting-2015-09-02)Movers: Syngenta AG (SYNN.VX) shares jumped 3.2% as the pesticides seller said it will sell its global vegetables seeds business and return more than $2 billion to shareholders (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/syngenta-to-sell-unit-plans-2-billion-buyback-2015-09-03).

EasyJet PLC (EZJ.LN) shares soared 6.5% after the budget airline raised its fiscal 2015 pretax profit forecast (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/easyjet-lifts-outlook-following-strong-summer-2015-09-03) after a strong summer season.

Vivendi shares were up 0.6% (VIV.FR) after the media company posted a 32% gain (http://www.wsj.com/articles/vivendi-earnings-rise-1441212047) in second-quarter profit, boosted by the sale of its Brazilian telecoms unit.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 03, 2015 05:31 ET (09:31 GMT)