On Thursday, European markets started 2025 on a positive note.
At 8:05 a.m. London time, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.27%.
All regional stock exchanges will reopen after the New Year holiday, with markets open on New Year's Eve closing higher.
There will be no major earnings or data releases on Thursday.
Asian shares Stock markets were mixed overnight, with Chinese stocks the biggest losers as several major markets resumed trading after the New Year holiday.
US stock futures were slightly higher as trading began for 2025. Traders are hopeful that the market will be able to regain the momentum that has seen it record annual gains above 20% for two years in a row.
Although U.S. stocks were weak in the final days of 2024, the year still delivered solid gains; the S&P 500 index rose 23% last year, while the 30-stock Dow rose almost 13%. Fueled by enthusiasm around artificial intelligence and interest rate cuts, Nasdaq Composite performed better, achieving 29% growth.
Investors will likely assess the impact on Thursday deadly attack in new orleans on New Year's Day, which is being investigated as a possible terrorist act.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was possible that the suspect who drove a truck into a crowd was not “solely responsible” for the incident that killed at least 15 people.
— CNBC's Christina Cheddar Berk contributed to this market report