India, Oct. 15 -- British shares edged higher on Thursday after fresh economic data showed the UK economy expanded in August, defying expectations of a contraction. The modest gain came as investors weighed persistent inflation concerns in the US, a global technology sell-off and continued disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The FTSE 100 rose 0.06%, while France's CAC 40 added 0.05% and Germany's DAX slipped 0.40%. Sterling strengthened 0.44% to $1.3250.

UK GDP Growth Exceeds Expectations

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that UK gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.1% in August, against forecasts for a 0.1% decline.

Growth over the three months to August reached 0.7%, above the 0.5% ...