Stock indices closed higher on a weaker euro, lower oil prices and quantitative easing by the European Central Bank (ECB).

German industrial production increased 0.2% in February, exceeding expectations for a 0.1% rise, after a 0.4% decline in January. January's figure was revised down from a 0.6% increase.

Greece repaid the International Monetary Fund (IMF) tranche of 448 million euros today.

The Bank of England kept its monetary policy unchanged today.

The U.K. trade deficit in goods widened to £10.3 billion in February from £9.2 billion in January, missing expectations for a deficit of £9.1 billion. January's figure was revised down from a deficit of £8.4 billion.

The increase of the deficit was driven by a decline in exports of goods to countries outside the European Union.

The U.K. Halifax house price index climbed 0.4% in March, after a 0.4% decline in February. February's figure was revised down from a 0.3% decrease.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 7,015.36 +77.95 +1.1 %

DAX 12,166.44 +130.58 +1.1 %

CAC 40 5,208.95 +72.09 +1.4 %