European stock markets are anticipated to close higher today following new signals from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that the US will soon see more rate hikes. While increases typically would make investors anxious, Powell allayed fears that the hikes would be too aggressive. The Euro Stoxx 50 index was reported to be higher by 0.25 percent while Britain’s FTSE 100 was posted 0.3 percent better. Overall, investors remain optimistic that Powell’s hikes will help keep the US economic expansion rolling without dampening the world’s financial markets.