European stock markets opened Wednesday's trading session firmly in the positive territory after GlaxoSmithKline reported its full-year and fourth-quarter results. At the same time, investors also monitored the latest trade balance report from Germany and the latest news about the crisis in Ukraine.

The DAX grew 0.78% at 9:03 am CET as biotechnology firm QIAGEN rose by 3.26% and led the gains concurrently. London's FTSE 100 was 0.62% higher at 9:00 am with paper producer Mondi, its best performer, increasing 3.50% at 9:02 am CET. The CAC 40 advanced 0.82% at 9:00 am as payment company Worldline gained 3.28% at 9:02 am CET.

The euro was down 0.09% against the dollar, selling for 1.14090 at 9:00 am CET. The British pound was flat in comparison to the greenback, going for 1.35543 at the same time.