European markets are set for a cautiously higher open on Thursday, as investors brace for a wave of earnings reports from some of the region's corporate giants.

Major indices including the U.K.'s FTSE 100, Germany's DAX, France's CAC 40, and Italy's FTSE MIB are all projected to open in positive territory, according to data from IG.

The trading session will be dominated by a slew of corporate results, with prominent names across sectors reporting. Key earnings come from Deutsche Bank, ING, Roche, Sanofi, Nokia, STMicroelectronics, and SAP. CNBC will conduct interviews with numerous top executives, including the CFOs of Deutsche Bank and SAP, and the CEOs of Roche, Swedbank, and Wizz Air.

The focus extends across the Atlantic, where U.S. investors await Apple's highly anticipated fiscal first-quarter results after the closing bell. Other major U.S. companies reporting include Mastercard, Caterpillar, and Lockheed Martin.

Markets continue to digest the latest Federal Reserve policy decision. On Wednesday, the U.S. central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady, as widely expected, and noted in its statement that economic activity has been expanding at a "solid pace." Fed funds futures continue to price in two quarter-point rate cuts by the end of 2026.

Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly lower in the prior session, setting a muted backdrop for the European open.