Stock indices closed higher on a rise in oil prices and on the positive trade data from Germany. Destatis released its trade data for Germany on Friday. Germany's trade surplus increased to a seasonally adjusted €19.7 billion in February from 18.7 in January.

Exports climbed 1.3% in February, while imports were up 0.4%.

On a yearly basis, German exports increased 4.1% in February, while imports rose by 4.0%.

Germany's current account surplus was €20.0 billion in February, up from €14.3 billion in January. January's figure was revised up from a surplus of €13.2 billion.

Oil prices rose on hopes for a deal on the freeze of the oil production.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its manufacturing and industrial production figures for the U.K. on Friday. Industrial production in the U.K. fell 0.3% in February, missing forecasts of a 0.1% increase, after a 0.2% rise in January.

The decrease was mainly driven by a decline in the manufacturing output.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in the U.K. decreased 0.5% in February, missing expectations for a flat reading, after a 0.1% increase in January. It was the largest decline since August 2013.

The decline was driven by a drop in the manufacture of machinery & equipment, which slid 10.6% year-on-year in February.

Manufacturing production in the U.K. dropped 1.1% in February, missing expectations for a 0.2% fall, after a 0.5% gain in January.

The decline was driven by a fall in in the manufacture of transport equipment, which decreased 2.9% in February.

Manufacturing output was mainly driven by a rise in other manufacturing and repair, which climbed by 4.8% in January.

On a yearly basis, manufacturing production in the U.K. decreased 1.8% in February, missing forecast of a 0.7% fall, after a 0.3% drop in January. It was the largest decrease since July 2013.

According to another report from the ONS, the U.K. trade deficit in goods narrowed to £11.96 billion in February from £12.16 billion in January. January's figure was revised down from a deficit of £10.29 billion. The decline in deficit was driven by a rise in exports.

The total trade deficit, including services, narrowed to £4.84 billion in February from £5.23 billion in January. January's figure was revised down from a deficit of £3.46 billion.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,204.41 +67.52 +1.10 %

DAX 9,622.26 +91.64 +0.96 %

CAC 40 4,303.12 +57.21 +1.35 %

The Bank of France raised its growth forecast for the first quarter on Friday. The central bank expects the French economy to expand 0.4% in the first quarter, up from the previous estimate of a 0.3% growth. The upward revision was driven by a more favourable assessment of the manufacturing sector.

The manufacturing business confidence index rose to 99 in March from 98 in February.

The services business sentiment index remained unchanged at 96 in March.

The construction business sentiment index remained unchanged at 96 in March.

Major U.S. stock-indexes higher on Friday, bolstered by a surge in crude oil and Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's comments pointing to resilience in the U.S. economy. U.S. crude rose 5% on rising hopes that top producers would agree to freeze output and economic indicators in the United States and Europe would push demand higher. Yellen, in an appearance with former Fed chairmen on Thursday, said the U.S. economy was on a solid course with some hints of inflation, putting the central bank on track for a gradual increase in interest rates this year.

Most of Dow stocks in positive area (22 of 30). Top looser - NIKE, Inc. (NKE, -0,90%). Top gainer - American Express Company (AXP, +2,19%).

Almost all S&P sectors in positive area. Top looser - Healthcare (-0,1%). Top gainer - Basic Materials (+3,0%).

At the moment:

Dow 17568.00 +110.00 +0.63%

S&P 500 2049.25 +14.25 +0.70%

Nasdaq 100 4488.50 +18.25 +0.41%

Oil 39.68 +2.42 +6.49%

Gold 1240.60 +3.10 +0.25%

U.S. 10yr 1.73 +0.04

Japan's Cabinet Office released Eco Watchers' Index figures on Friday. Japan's economy watchers' current conditions index rose to 45.4 in March from 44.6 in February, missing expectations for a gain to 46.5.

Japan's economy watchers' future conditions index decreased to 46.7 in March from 48.2 in February.

A reading above 50 indicates optimism, while a reading below 50 indicates pessimism.

New York Fed President William Dudley said in a speech on Friday that the Fed should be cautious in raising its interest rate as there were risks from abroad to the U.S. economy.

"I judge that a cautious and gradual approach to policy normalization is appropriate. Moreover, caution is also called for because of our limited ability to reduce the policy rate to respond to adverse developments," he said.

Dudley noted that there were still the downside risks to U.S. inflation and growth outlooks.

"The low levels of energy and commodity prices may signal more persistent disinflationary pressures than I currently anticipate, while renewed tightening of financial market conditions could have a greater negative impact on the U.S. economy," New York Fed president noted.

The U.S. Commerce Department released wholesale inventories on Friday. Wholesale inventories in the U.S. declined 0.5% in February, missing expectations for a 0.1 decline, after a 0.2% fall in January. It was the largest fall since May 2013.

January's figure was revised down from a 0.2% rise.

The decrease was mainly driven by a decline in inventories of non-durable goods. Inventories of non-durable goods decreased 1.1% in February, while inventories of durable goods fell 0.1%.

Wholesale sales slid 0.2% in February, after a 1.9% fall in January.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) released its estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) for the U.K. on Friday. The GDP estimate rose by 0.3% in three months to March, after a 0.2% growth in three months to February. The previous figure was revised down from a 0.3% growth. It was the weakest growth since the fourth quarter of 2012.

"The subdued growth in the first quarter of 2016 has been primarily driven by weakness in production industries, especially manufacturing. The volume of industrial production is currently 10.7 per cent below its pre-recession peak of the first quarter of 2008, while GDP has now surpassed its pre-recession peak by 7 per cent," James Warren, NIESR Research Fellow, said.

The Hellenic Statistical Authority released its preliminary industrial production data for Greece on Friday. Greek industrial production decreased 4.3% in February, after a 0.9% fall in January.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in Greece slid at an adjusted rate of 3.0% in February, after a 4.6% increase in January.

Production in the manufacturing sector increased at an annual rate of 0.6% in February, output in the mining and quarrying sector dropped 5.5%, while electricity production slid by 14.3%.

The Hellenic Statistical Authority released its consumer price inflation data for Greece on Friday. Greek consumer prices increased 1.3% in March, after a 0.4% drop in February.

On a yearly basis, the Greek consumer price index declined 1.5% in March, after a 0.5 fall in February. Consumer prices in Greece declined since March 2013.

Housing prices plunged at an annual rate of 4.8% in March, transport costs dropped by 4.9%, clothing and footwear prices were down 5.2%, while household equipment prices decreased 1.2%.

Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages fell at an annual rate of 0.4% in March, while alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices increased by 1.1%.

U.S. Stocks opened in the green: Dow +0.44%, Nasdaq +0.67%, S&P +00.48%

Mood swings on Wall Street had its continuation today, with one more session opening that seems to reverse the previous day's sentiment. The S&P500 already increased by 0.6 per cent. The reason for the bullish stance in the US, as well as on other markets, is strengthening of the oil market.

The mid-session decline of the Warsaw market did not break the support level of 1,900 points. The market, for the third time in two sessions, rebounded after having tested the level of 1,900, thus confirming that market participants consider it to be of particular importance. The current level of 1,915 points on the WIG20 is the status quo with respect to the developments of the past two sessions.

U.S. stock-index futures rose.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 15,821.52 +71.68 +0.46%

Hang Seng 20,370.4 +104.35 +0.51%

Shanghai Composite 2,985.76 -22.66 -0.75%

FTSE 6,193.48 +56.59 +0.92%

CAC 4,307.04 +61.13 +1.44%

DAX 9,667.1 +136.48 +1.43%

Crude oil $39.09 (+4.91%)

Gold $1234.80 (-0.22%)

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

Statistics Canada released the labour market data on Friday. Canada's unemployment rate declined to 7.1% in March from 7.3% in February. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 7.3%.

The labour participation rate remained unchanged at 65.9% in March.

The Bank of Canada monitors closely the labour participation rate.

The number of employed people rose by 40,600 jobs in March, exceeding expectations for a rise of 10,000 jobs, after a 2,300 decrease in February.

The increase was mainly driven by a rise in full-time work. Full-time employment climbed by 35,300 in March, while part-time employment increased by 5,300 jobs.

Employment rose in health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, professional, scientific and technical services, and 'other services'.

Upgrades:

Barrick Gold (ABX) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse

Downgrades:

Other:

Walt Disney (DIS) initiated with a Sector Perform at RBC Capital Mkts

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) released housing starts data on Friday. Housing starts in Canada fell to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 204,251 units in March from 219,077 units in February. February's figure was revised up from 212,594 units.

Housing starts were mainly driven by a drop in the multi-unit segment.

"Overall, starts were trending lower in March due to a slowdown in multi-unit construction. This was the case across the country, except in British Columbia where declining inventories of new and unsold units as well as low levels of new listings in the resale market spurred builders to start new projects," the CMHC's Chief Economist Bob Dugan said.

After the market growth in the first hour of trading, which took place on the back of a small turnover, the WIG20 index returned to the earlier levels. Yesterday's breach of support at the level of 1,900 points and today's floating at above 1,900 points conveys a picture of the market suspended at a neutral level and waiting for a new impetus to define further direction.

Compared to DAX that grew by about 0.9 percent, Warsaw looks a bit weaker.

Yesterday's drop in oil prices below $ 37 / bbl was the element that pulled the stock markets down. Today's output rate of contracts for oil suggests that we may soon be witnessing of the re-test of the level of $ 40 / bbl. This in turn makes it possible to maintain the upward correction in the markets today.

Stock indices traded higher on a rise in oil prices and on the positive trade data from Germany. Destatis released its trade data for Germany on Friday. Germany's trade surplus increased to a seasonally adjusted €19.7 billion in February from 18.7 in January.

Exports climbed 1.3% in February, while imports were up 0.4%.

On a yearly basis, German exports increased 4.1% in February, while imports rose by 4.0%.

Germany's current account surplus was €20.0 billion in February, up from €14.3 billion in January. January's figure was revised up from a surplus of €13.2 billion.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its manufacturing and industrial production figures for the U.K. on Friday. Industrial production in the U.K. fell 0.3% in February, missing forecasts of a 0.1% increase, after a 0.2% rise in January.

The decrease was mainly driven by a decline in the manufacturing output.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in the U.K. decreased 0.5% in February, missing expectations for a flat reading, after a 0.1% increase in January. It was the largest decline since August 2013.

The decline was driven by a drop in the manufacture of machinery & equipment, which slid 10.6% year-on-year in February.

Manufacturing production in the U.K. dropped 1.1% in February, missing expectations for a 0.2% fall, after a 0.5% gain in January.

The decline was driven by a fall in in the manufacture of transport equipment, which decreased 2.9% in February.

Manufacturing output was mainly driven by a rise in other manufacturing and repair, which climbed by 4.8% in January.

On a yearly basis, manufacturing production in the U.K. decreased 1.8% in February, missing forecast of a 0.7% fall, after a 0.3% drop in January. It was the largest decrease since July 2013.

According to another report from the ONS, the U.K. trade deficit in goods narrowed to £11.96 billion in February from £12.16 billion in January. January's figure was revised down from a deficit of £10.29 billion. The decline in deficit was driven by a rise in exports.

The total trade deficit, including services, narrowed to £4.84 billion in February from £5.23 billion in January. January's figure was revised down from a deficit of £3.46 billion.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,176.14 +39.25 +0.64 %

DAX 9,618.32 +87.70 +0.92 %

CAC 40 4,279.72 +33.81 +0.80 %

The French statistical office Insee its industrial production figures on Friday. Industrial production in France slid 1.0% in February, missing expectations for a 0.4% decrease, after a 1.0% rise in January. January's figure was revised down from a 1.3% increase.

Manufacturing output dropped 0.9% in February, while construction output plunged 6.0%.

Output in mining and quarrying, energy, water supply and waste management fell 1.6% in February.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production climbed 0.6% in February, after a 1.9% gain in January.

Destatis released its trade data for Germany on Friday. Germany's trade surplus increased to a seasonally adjusted €19.7 billion in February from 18.7 in January.

Exports climbed 1.3% in February, while imports were up 0.4%.

On a yearly basis, German exports increased 4.1% in February, while imports rose by 4.0%.

Germany's current account surplus was €20.0 billion in February, up from €14.3 billion in January. January's figure was revised up from a surplus of €13.2 billion.

The Swiss Federal Statistics Office released its consumer inflation data on Friday. Switzerland's consumer price index rose 0.3% in March, in line with expectations, after a 0.2% increase in February.

The increase was mainly driven by higher prices for petroleum products and airfares.

On a yearly basis, Switzerland's consumer price index decreased to -0.9% in March from -0.8% in February, in line with forecasts.

The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs released its unemployment data for Switzerland on Friday. The Swiss unemployment rate increased to a seasonally adjusted 3.5% in March from 3.4% in February.

On a seasonally unadjusted basis, the unemployment rate in Switzerland decreased to 3.6% in March from 3.7% in February, in line with expectations.

The number of unemployed people in Switzerland fell by 6,093 to 155,324 in March from the previous month.

The youth unemployment rate was down to 3.4% in March from 3.6% in February.

Japan's Cabinet Office released its consumer confidence index on Friday. The consumer confidence index increased to 41.7 in March from 40.1 in February, exceeding expectations for a rise to 40.5. It was the lowest level since January 2015.

The increase was driven by rises in all sub-indexes. The overall livelihood sub-index increased to 40.5 in March from 38.5 in February, the income growth sub-index was up to 40.6 from 39.8, the employment sub-index climbed to 43.9 from 42.2, while the willingness to buy durable goods sub-index rose to 41.7 from 40.0.

The U.K. Office for National Statistics (ONS) released trade data for the U.K. on Friday. The U.K. trade deficit in goods narrowed to £11.96 billion in February from £12.16 billion in January. January's figure was revised down from a deficit of £10.29 billion.

The decline in deficit was driven by a rise in exports.

The total trade deficit, including services, narrowed to £4.84 billion in February from £5.23 billion in January. January's figure was revised down from a deficit of £3.46 billion.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its manufacturing and industrial production figures for the U.K. on Friday. Industrial production in the U.K. fell 0.3% in February, missing forecasts of a 0.1% increase, after a 0.2% rise in January. January's figure was revised down from a 0.3% gain.

The decrease was mainly driven by a decline in the manufacturing output.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in the U.K. decreased 0.5% in February, missing expectations for a flat reading, after a 0.1% increase in January. It was the largest decline since August 2013.

January's figure was revised down from a 0.2% rise.

The decline was driven by a drop in the manufacture of machinery & equipment, which slid 10.6% year-on-year in February.

Manufacturing production in the U.K. dropped 1.1% in February, missing expectations for a 0.2% fall, after a 0.5% gain in January. January's figure was revised down from a 0.7% increase.

The decline was driven by a fall in in the manufacture of transport equipment, which decreased 2.9% in February.

Manufacturing output was mainly driven by a rise in other manufacturing and repair, which climbed by 4.8% in January.

On a yearly basis, manufacturing production in the U.K. decreased 1.8% in February, missing forecast of a 0.7% fall, after a 0.3% drop in January. It was the largest decrease since July 2013.

January's figure was revised down from a 0.1% decline.

Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Friday that a rapid move in the yen was undesirable, adding that the government would act if needed. Aso declined to comment if the government would intervene.

Japan's Ministry of Finance released its current account data for Japan late Thursday evening. Japan's current account surplus climbed to ¥2,434.9 billion in February from ¥520.8 billion in January, exceeding expectations for a surplus of ¥2,006.0 billion.

The goods trade deficit turned into a surplus of ¥425.2 billion in February, up from a deficit of ¥411.0 billion in January.

Exports dropped at an annual rate of 5.5% in February, while imports plunged 14.6%.

According to data from the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index, consumers' expectations for U.S. economy decreased to 42.6 in in the week ended April 04 from 42.8 the prior week.

The decrease was driven by a decline in the personal finances sub-index. The measure of views of the economy remained unchanged at 32.6, the buying climate index remained unchanged at 38.3, while the personal finances index fell to 56.9 from 57.6.

Kansas City Fed President Esther George said on Thursday that the Fed should continue to hike its interest rate gradually as the U.S. labour market continued to strengthen and inflation showed some signs of the acceleration.

"While I view the gradual approach as appropriate, postponing the removal of accommodation when the economy is near full employment and inflation is rising toward the 2 percent target could promote alternative risks that would decrease the likelihood of achieving our longer-run objectives," she said.

Esther voted for an interest rate hike at the Fed's monetary policy meeting in March.

The Fed released its consumer credits figures on Thursday. Consumer credit in the U.S. rose by $17.22 billion in February, exceeding expectations for a $14.74 billion increase, after a $14.9 billion gain in January. January's figure was revised up from a $10.54 billion rise.

The increase was mainly driven by gains in non-revolving credit. Revolving credit rose by $3.0 billion in February, while non-revolving credit jumped by $14.3 billion.

The Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen said in a speech in New York on Thursday that the U.S. economy continued to progress and the U.S. labour market continued to strengthen. She also said that there were signs of the accelerating in inflation, adding that low inflation, which was driven by the strong U.S. dollar and low oil prices, was temporary.

The Fed chairwoman noted that the global growth remained weak.

Yellen pointed out that the Fed remained on track for further interest rate hikes, saying that the decision to raise the interest rate in December was the right decision.

"We remain on a reasonable path and I don't think December was a mistake," the Fed chairwoman said. She added that further interest rate hikes should be gradual.

Yellen noted that the U.S. economy was not a bubble economy.

The mood before the start of trading in Europe were quite good. Futures on the DAX index gained 0.8 percent and helped for start of contracts on WIG20 index (WSE: FW20M16) at 6 points above yesterday's close. Optimism in the markets derive from growth in the oil market, as well as the weakening of yen after a significant strengthening in recent days. In Europe, attention also deserve better than expected data from Germany, which recorded higher values of exports and imports.

WIG20 index opened at 1911.93 points (+0.36%)*

WIG 47336.78 +0.22%

WIG30 2128.74 +0.23%

mWIG40 3527.98 +0.07%

*/ - change to previous close

Thursday's session on Wall Street ended with declines in major indices. The S&P500 index fell by 1.20 percent. The strengthening of the Japanese yen resulted in an increase of aversion to risk.

Night brought a strengthening of the dollar against the yen, although quotations of the contract for the S&P500 does not indicate a serious improvement in sentiment.

We expect today trying to calm down after yesterday's declines, and wait for a new week and the beginning of the season of quarterly results of US companies.

The Warsaw market may bother about the WIG20 situation, which is beginning to have serious trouble from the point of view of technical analysis. Breach of support at 1,900 points opens the way to a drop in the region of 1,800 points.

European stock markets slid in Thursday's trade, with initial optimism over rising oil prices overshadowed by concerns about global growth. Richard Perry, analyst at Hantec Markets, said European markets initially got a boost from a dovish set of Federal Reserve minutes out late Wednesday, but the focus eventually changed to concerns over the world economy.

The S&P 500 retreated on Thursday to close in the negative territory for the year as investors shunned assets perceived as risky in favor of haven plays. "The market appears to be pivoting on oil prices and a strengthening yen; both of which are consistent with global slowing," said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at BMO Private Bank.

Asian stocks followed U.S. shares lower, with the benchmark index headed for a third weekly decline, as consumer-discretionary and material shares led losses in a broad regional selloff.

Based on MarketWatch materials

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

Nikkei 225 15,749.84 +34.48 +0.22%

Hang Seng 20,266.05 +59.38 +0.29%

S&P/ASX 200 4,964.08 +18.17 +0.37%

Shanghai Composite 3,009.51 -41.08 -1.35%

FTSE 100 6,136.89 -24.74 -0.40%

CAC 40 4,245.91 -38.73 -0.90%

Xetra DAX 9,530.6 -93.89 -0.98%

S&P 500 2,041.91 -24.75 -1.20%

NASDAQ Composite 4,848.37 -72.35 -1.47%

Dow Jones 17,541.96 -174.09 -0.98%