Stock indices closed higher on a rise in oil prices. Oil prices rose as the Chinese market participants returned from public holidays.

The European Central Bank's (ECB) its minutes of September meeting on Thursday. According to the minutes, uncertainty in emerging economies could lead to a slowdown in the Eurozone's economy.

The central bank pointed out that it will raise the pace of its asset purchases from September to November 2015 "to prepare for the expected decline in market liquidity in December".

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was weak. Destatis released its trade data for Germany on Thursday. Germany's seasonally adjusted trade surplus declined to €19.6 billion in August from 22.4 in July. July's figure was revised down from €22.8 billion.

Exports dropped at a seasonally and calendar-adjusted 5.2% in August, while imports fell 3.1%. It was the biggest drop in exports since January 2009.

On a yearly basis, German exports climbed by 5.0% in August, while imports rose by 4.0%.

Germany's current account surplus was at €12.3 billion in August, down from €24.7 billion in July. July's figure was revised up from €23.4 billion.

According to Destatis, manufacturing turnover declined on seasonally adjusted and on adjusted for working days basis by 1.3% in August, after a 1.4% rise in July. July's figure was revised down from a 1.9% increase.

Meanwhile, domestic turnover decreased by 0.9% in August, while the business with foreign customers dropped 1.8%.

Sales to euro area countries declined 2.8% in August, while sales to other countries were down 1.0%.

On a yearly basis, manufacturing turnover in Germany was up on seasonally adjusted and on adjusted for working days basis by 2.8% in August.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,374.82 +38.47 +0.61 %

DAX 9,993.07 +22.67 +0.23 %

CAC 40 4,675.91 +8.57 +0.18 %