By Sarah Turner
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European shares were in a tight range on Thursday as investors eyed mixed reports from some of Europe's biggest companies. On the plus side, shares of Vodafone Group (UK:VOD 139.00, +4.50, +3.35%) jumped 3.8% after the wireless telecom giant produced higher third-quarter revenue and lifted its cash flow forecast. However, losses of 1.9% from Royal Dutch Shell (UK:RDSA 1,749, 0.00, 0.00%) kept gains in check after the oil giant's CCS earnings dropped to $1.2 billion from $4.8 billion a year ago. Rate decisions from both the Bank of England and European Central Bank are on tap. The U.K. FTSE 100 index declined 0.3% to 5,238.66, the German DAX index edged up 0.1% to 5,675.36 and the French CAC-40 index lost 0.1% to 3,788.49.
