European stock markets continued to rise on Thursday, with shares of Thomas Cook rallying after a well-received earnings report, and investors digesting the latest German unemployment figures and euro-zone confidence figures. The U.K.'s benchmark stock index headed for a second straight day of gains on Thursday, with shares of Rio Tinto PLC rising after the miner committed to a major expansion plan in Australia. Some losses were seen in the home-building sector after the Bank of England said it would curb its support for home loans. US markets were closed for Thanksgiving Day holidays. London BHP up 1.03%. Rio up 3.65%. LME Base metals prices mostly drift lower in holiday-thinned trading.