European shares opened higher and the single currency languished near two-week lows on Thursday as investors waited to see if the European Central Bank will prepare the ground for further stimulus measures at its policy meeting later, according to Reuters. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 0.6 percent at 1,049.52 points after losing ground on Wednesday as weak data on both sides of the Atlantic rekindled concerns about the strength of global growth. The euro was virtually unchanged at $1.3160 after falling as low as $1.3122 on Wednesday on the depressing economic news. Before the ECB meeting, recently downgraded Spain will test sentiment for riskier euro zone government debt with a small auction of new three- and five-year bonds. The country's borrowing costs are expected to rise more than a percentage point. Ahead of the sale, June German Bund futures were 11 ticks lower at 141.62, edging back from record highs hit the previous day.
