Most stock indices closed higher as shares in European stainless steel producers increased.

Eurozone's revised gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.32% in fourth quarter, in line with expectations and matching an initial estimate.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's revised gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.9% in fourth quarter, in line with expectations, up from an initial estimate of 0.8%.

German industrial production increased 0.6% in January, in line with expectations, after a 1.0% gain in December. December's figure was revised up from a 0.1% increase.

Consumer inflation expectations for the coming year in the UK declined to 1.9% in February from 2.5% in November. That was the lowest level since late 2001.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,911.8 -49.34 -0.71 %

DAX 11,550.97 +46.96 +0.41 %

CAC 40 4,964.35 +0.84 +0.02 %

Statistics Canada released housing market data on Friday. Building permits in Canada dropped 12.9% in January, missing expectations for a 5.5% gain, after a 6.1% rise in December. December's figure was revised down from a 7.7% increase.

That was the biggest drop since August 2014.

Building permits for non-residential construction plunged 22.8% in January, while permits in the residential sector fell 7.0%.

Lower non-residential permits were driven by weaker demand in the major provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

Statistics Canada released the trade data on Friday. Canada's trade deficit widened to C$2.45 billion in January from a deficit of C$1.22 billion in December. December's figure was revised down from a deficit of C$0.65 billion. Analysts had expected a trade surplus of C$0.3 billion.

The decline was driven by falling oil prices.

Exports declined 2.8% in January. Exports of energy products declined 14.7%.

Imports were flat in January.

The U.S. Commerce Department released the trade data on Friday. The U.S. trade deficit narrowed to $41.8 billion in January from a deficit of $45.6 billion in December. That was the lowest level since November 2012.

December's figure was revised up from a deficit of $46.6 billion.

Analysts had expected a trade deficit of $41.6 billion.

The decline of a deficit was driven by cheaper U.S. energy prices and lower demand for foreign oil.

Imports fell by 3.9% in January, while exports declined by 2.9%.

The U.S. Labor Department released the labour market data on Friday. The U.S. economy added 295,000 jobs in February, exceeding expectations for a rise of 241,000 jobs, after a gain of 239,000 jobs in January. January's figure was revised down from a rise of 257,000 jobs.

The strongest job gains showed food services and drinking places, professional and business services, construction, healthcare, and transportation and warehousing.

The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 5.5% in February from 5.7% in January, beating forecast of a decline to 5.6%. That was lowest level since May 2008.

The decline was driven by people leaving the labour force.

Average hourly earnings increased 0.1% in February, missing forecasts of a 0.2% gain, after a 0.2% drop in January. January's figure was revised up from a 0.1% increase.

The labour-force participation rate declined to 62.8% in February.

These figures are signs that the labour market in the U.S. is strengthening. But the Fed might delay to hike its interest rate due to the weak wage growth figures and low inflation.

U.S. stock-index futures fell as better-than-forecast jobs data fueled speculation the Federal Reserve is moving closer to raising interest rates.

Global markets:

Nikkei 18,971 +219.16 +1.17%

Hang Seng 24,164 -29.04 -0.12%

Shanghai Composite 3,241.24 -7.24 -0.22%

FTSE 6,939.01 -22.13 -0.32%

CAC 4,971.22 +7.71 +0.16%

DAX 11,544.53 +40.52 +0.35%

Crude oil $50.68 (-0.51%)

Gold $1184.50 (-0.97%)

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

Upgrades:

UnitedHealth (UNH) upgraded from Underperform to Neutral at Sterne Agee, target raised from $105 to $126

Citigroup (C) upgraded from Mkt Perform to Outperform at Keefe Bruyette

Downgrades:

Other:

The Swiss Federal Statistics Office released its consumer inflation data on Friday. Switzerland's consumer price index dropped 0.3% in February, missing expectations for a 0.1% rise, after a 0.4% decline in January.

The decline was driven by a decrease in petrol and diesel fuel, groceries, and package holidays.

On a yearly basis, Switzerland's consumer price index declined to -0.8% in February from -0.5% in January, missing expectations for a 0.6% drop. That was the since June 2012.

These figures have added to concerns over deflation in Switzerland.

Stock indices traded mixed ahead of the U.S. labour market data. Stocks were supported by comments by the ECB President Mario Draghi. The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi said at the press conference on Thursday that the central bank will start its 60 billion euro-a-month bond purchases on March, 9. He noted that the ECB will buy euro-dominated public sector securities in the secondary market, and it will also continue to purchase asset-backed securities and covered bonds.

Eurozone's revised gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.32% in fourth quarter, in line with expectations and matching an initial estimate.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's revised gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.9% in fourth quarter, in line with expectations, up from an initial estimate of 0.8%.

German industrial production increased 0.6% in January, in line with expectations, after a 1.0% gain in December. December's figure was revised up from a 0.1% increase.

Consumer inflation expectations for the coming year in the UK declined to 1.9% in February from 2.5% in November. That was the lowest level since late 2001.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,950.33 -10.81 -0.16 %

DAX 11,514.77 +10.76 +0.09 %

CAC 40 4,968.8 +5.29 +0.11 %

Bloomberg

The Price of Oil Is Down, So Why Is Production Still Going Up?

Too much oil, too fast.

That turns out to be the downside of the U.S. oil boom-at least if you're an investor. Prices crashed, and America is pumping so much crude its running out of places to store it. One promising sign you may have heard about: The plunge in U.S. oil rigs.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-05/the-price-of-oil-is-down-so-why-is-production-still-going-up-

MarketWatch

European stocks extend multiyear highs ahead of QE launch

LONDON (MarketWatch) - European stocks rose Friday, extending their reach into multiyear highs ahead of the start of a massive asset-purchase program aimed at bolstering inflation levels and growth in the eurozone.

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-extend-multiyear-highs-ahead-of-qe-launch-2015-03-06

RTTNews

Asian Stocks Rise After ECB Boost

The Asian stock markets rose broadly on Friday after the European Central Bank upped economic growth forecasts for the euro zone and laid out its plans for bond purchases to combat deflation. ECB President Mario Draghi on Thursday said the ECB would purchase 60 billion euros of public and private sector assets each and every month until September 2016, or beyond if necessary to put the eurozone back on track for sustained growth. The bond-buying stimulus program would begin on March 9.

Source: http://www.rttnews.com/2466958/asian-stocks-rise-after-ecb-boost.aspx

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.21% to 18,135.72 points on Thursday, while the S&P 500 increased 0.12% to 2,101.04 points. Investors are awaiting the release of the U.S. labour market data on Friday.

The Fed's Beige Book survey showed on Wednesday that optimism prevailed in most Federal Reserve districts.

Most Europe's stock indices traded higher. Stocks remained supported on yesterday's comments by the ECB President Mario Draghi. The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi said at the press conference on Thursday that the central bank will start its 60 billion euro-a-month bond purchases on March, 9. He noted that the ECB will buy euro-dominated public sector securities in the secondary market, and it will also continue to purchase asset-backed securities and covered bonds.

The ECB upgraded its growth estimate to 1.5% for 2015, up from 1% in December last year. Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to be 1.9% in 2016 and 2.1% in 2017.

The ECB downgraded its inflation forecast for this year to 0%, down from its previous inflation forecast of 0.7%, but upgraded the 2016 forecast to 1.5% from 1.3%.

The ECB released its interest decision yesterday. The central bank kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.05%.

UK's FTSE 100 index was down 0.16% to 6,949.71 points. Germany's DAX 30 increased 0.12% to 11,518.3 points, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.05% to 4,965.84.

Eurozone's revised gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.32% in fourth quarter, in line with expectations and matching an initial estimate.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's revised gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.9% in fourth quarter, in line with expectations, up from an initial estimate of 0.8%.

Consumer inflation expectations for the coming year in the UK declined to 1.9% in February from 2.5% in November. That was the lowest level since late 2001.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.12% to 24,164, China's Shanghai Composite declined 0.22% to 3,241.24. Chinese stocks declined on concerns over growth and tighter liquidity.

Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 1.17% to 18,971 on yesterday's comments by the ECB President Mario Draghi.

Japan's leading economic index decreased to 105.1 in January from 105.3 in December, missing expectations for a rise to 105.9. December's figure was revised down from 105.6.

Japan's coincident index rose to 113.0 in January from 110.6 in December. December's figure was revised down from 110.7.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei 225 18,751.84 +48.24 +0.26 %

Hang Seng 24,193.04 -272.34 -1.11 %

Shanghai Composite 3,248.48 -31.06 -0.95 %

FTSE 100 6,961.14 +41.90 +0.61 %

CAC 40 4,963.51 +46.16 +0.94 %

Xetra DAX 11,504.01 +113.63 +1.00 %

S&P 500 2,101.04 +2.51 +0.12 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,982.81 +15.67 +0.32 %

Dow Jones 18,135.72 +38.82 +0.21 %