Stock indices traded higher as markets remained supported by the European Central Bank President's comments and as stability seems to return to bond markets. The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi said in a speech at the International Monetary Fund in Washington on Thursday that the central bank will not stop its quantitative easing until there is "a sustained adjustment in the path of inflation".

Draghi noted that he wanted that quantitative easing to boost investment and price inflation.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its construction output data for the U.K. on Friday. Construction output in the U.K. rose 3.9% in March, after a 0.3% decline in February.

The increase was driven by a rise in non-housing repair and maintenance work, which soared 20% in March.

On a yearly basis, construction output climbed 1.6% in March.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 7,001.37 +28.33 +0.41 %

DAX 11,600.21 +40.39 +0.35 %

CAC 40 5,055.02 +25.71 +0.51 %