European stocks rose on Wednesday, rallying for the ninth straight day, near all-time highs, ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decision later today, which is expected to shed some clarity on the future of US monetary policy.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.2% as of 11:11 GMT, after closing higher by 0.1% yesterday and hit its all-time high at 460.51 points.
The energy sector saw the largest gains in Europe today, with a jump of more than 0.7%, after oil prices hit multi-year highs, thanks to indicators of growing fuel demand in most parts of the world.
S&P 500 futures rose more than 0.2% today ahead of Wall Street's opening, after the index ended lower by 0.2% yesterday on profit-taking from its record of 4,257.16 points.
The Federal Reserve will conclude its meeting later today, to decide on monetary policy and provide clarity over the future of monetary policy in the US.
Back to Europe, the Euro Stoxx 50 index rose 0.1%, France's CAC 40 rose 0.2%, and the UK's FTSE 100 rose 0.1%.
While Germany's DAX index fell 0.2%, due to correction and profit-taking from its record of 15,802.67 points.