Stock indices closed slightly higher on the increase in the consumer inflation in the Eurozone. The preliminary consumer price inflation in the Eurozone rose to an annual rate of 0.0% in April from -0.1% in March, in line with expectations. The increase was driven by ECB's quantitative easing programme.
Eurozone's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 11.3% in March, in line with expectations.
The number of unemployed people in Germany declined by 8,000 in April, missing expectations for a 13,000 decline, after a 14,000 drop in March. March's figure was revised down from a 15,000 fall.
Germany's adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.4% in April, in line with expectations.
German adjusted retail sales dropped 2.3% in March, missing forecasts of a 0.7% rise, after a 0.1% gain in February. February's figure was revised up from a 0.5% decrease.
French consumer spending decreased 0.6% in March, missing expectations for a 0.5% fall, after a 0.2% rise in February. February's figure was revised up from a 0.1% increase.
Indexes on the close:
Name Price Change Change %
FTSE 100 6,960.63 +14.35 +0.21 %
DAX 11,454.38 +21.66 +0.19 %
CAC 40 5,046.49 +7.10 +0.14 %