European shares turned positive on Thursday after U.S. data showed initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 20,000 to a seasonally adjusted 512,000 in the week to October 31, the lowest since early January. Skip related content
At 1:43 p.m., the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 0.1 percent at 985.90 points after falling to a low of 969.74 points earlier in the session.
Retailers were among the top gainers, with Ahold , Tesco and J Sainsbury up 1 to 4.7 percent.
(Reporting by Atul Prakash)
Tributes have been paid to a schoolgirl who died after slipping in her high heels and falling under a train while waving goodbye to her friends.
