12:14 PM EST, 12/11/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed mostly higher in Thursday trading as The Stoxx Europe gained 0.52%, Germany's DAX rose 0.68%, the FTSE 100 was up 0.49%, and France's CAC advanced 0.79%, while the Swiss Market Index was off 0.13%.

In Switzerland, the Swiss National Bank left its policy rate unchanged at 0%. The SNB said that although inflation has been slightly lower than expected in recent months, inflationary pressure over the medium term is "virtually unchanged" from its last monetary policy assessment.

In Italy, total labor input used by the economy in terms of hours worked increased 0.7% in Q3 from Q2, and rose 2% from a year earlier, according to the Italian National Statistical Institute.

And in corporate news, STMicroelectronics said Thursday that it has signed a 500 million euros ($585 million) financing agreement with the European Investment Bank as the first tranche of a 1 billion euro credit line to strengthen Europe's semiconductor industry.

Shares of the French semiconductor company were off 0.7% in Paris.

Manchester United reported a fiscal Q1 adjusted loss Thursday of 0.015 British pounds ($0.02) per diluted share, widening from a loss of 0.002 pounds a year earlier.

Revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 30 was 140.3 million pounds, compared with 143.1 million pounds a year earlier. Two analysts surveyed by FactSet expected 140.6 million pounds.

For fiscal 2026, the company reiterated its prior guidance of total revenue of 640 million pounds to 660 million pounds. Three analysts polled by FactSet estimate 655.3 million pounds.

Shares of the English soccer club were up 1.1% in London.

Equinor, along with partners Var Energi and Petoro, unveiled Thursday plans to invest more than 4 billion Norwegian kroner ($396.1 million) on the Isflak oil discovery made in the Barents Sea.

Recoverable oil in the new subsea development is estimated at 46 million barrels, and a kick-off is planned as early as Q4 2028, the companies said. The field, put on stream in March, is now producing 220,000 barrels per day.

Shares of the Norwegian petroleum refiner gained 0.7% in Oslo.

Stellantis' Ram truck brand said Thursday it has formed a multi-year partnership with TKO Group to become the official truck partner of TKO's sports and entertainment properties.

The agreement includes the world wrestling organization WWE; the mixed martial arts organization UFC, and the bull-riding organization PBR, the companies said.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Shares of the automaker declined 1.6% in Paris.