Stock indices traded following a rally in the U.S. The U.S. shares rose on positive corporate earnings.

Earlier, European stocks dropped due to the weaker-than-expected ZEW economic sentiment data. The ZEW released its economic sentiment index for Germany and the Eurozone today. The economic sentiment index for Germany dropped to -3.6 in October from 6.9 in September, missing expectations for a decrease to 0.2.

The economic sentiment index for the Eurozone fell to 4.1 in October from 14.2 in September, missing expectations for a decline to 7.1.

The ZEW economic sentiment data fuelled concern the Eurozone falls into recession.

Eurozone's industrial production fell 1.8% in August, missing expectations for a 1.5% decline, after a 0.9% gain in July. July's figure was revised down from a 1.0% increase.

France's consumer price index declined to an annual rate of 0.4% in September from 0.5% in August, in line with expectations.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,392.68 +26.44 +0.42%

DAX 8,825.21 +12.78 +0.15%

CAC 40 4,088.25 +9.55 +0.23%