Stock indices closed higher on corporate earnings and economic data from the Eurozone. The number of unemployed people in Germany declined by 20,000 in February, exceeding expectations for a 10,000 decline, after a 10,000 drop in January. January's figure was revised up from a 9,000 decrease.

Germany's adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.5% in February, in line with expectations.

The Gfk German consumer confidence index increased to 9.7 in March from 9.3 in February, beating forecasts for a rise to 9.6.

Eurozone's adjusted M3 money supply rose 4.1% in January, exceeding expectations for a 3.8% increase, after a 3.6 gain in December.

The U.K. revised GDP (gross domestic product) climbed by 0.5% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations and the previous estimate.

On a yearly basis, the U.K. revised GDP gained 2.7% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations and the previous estimate.

The U.K. business investment fell 1.4% in the fourth quarter, missing forecasts for a 2.3% gain, after a 1.2% decline in the third quarter. The third quarter's reading was revised up from a 1.4% drop.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,949.73 +14.35 +0.21%

DAX 11,327.19 +116.92 +1.04%

CAC 40 4,910.62 +28.40 +0.58%