Banks give Europe shares a lift, U.S. data eyed

Easier European bank-to-bank lending rates and hopes a batch of U.S. data would confirm an improving economic picture, lifted world stocks and the euro on Thursday, but concerns that Europe's debt crisis could intensify kept a lid on the rises.

U.S. stock index futures also pointed to a higher open on Wall Street with the key S&P 500 index on track to record its third straight day of gains.

For more: GLOBAL MARKETS-Banks give Europe shares a lift, U.S. data eyed | Reuters