Stock indices closed little changed on Thursday. Quantitative easing by the European Central Bank (ECB) still supports markets. The ECB had started to purchase government bonds on Monday.

Industrial production in the Eurozone declined 0.1% in January, missing expectations for a 0.3% increase, after a 0.3% rise in December. That was the first decrease in five months.

December's figure was revised up from a flat reading.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's industrial production rose 1.2% in January, after a 0.6% increase in December. December's figure was revised up from a 0.2 decrease.

These figures indicate that GDP growth in the Eurozone will remain weak in the first quarter.

The Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney said in a speech in Sheffield that a stronger pound and low global inflation could weigh on inflation in the U.K. for some time. He added that a persistent period of low global inflation is possible, driven by lower oil prices and a slowdown in global demand.

Carney pointed out that future interest rate hike might depend on events overseas. "The pace and degree of these increases will be affected by a variety of factors, including the evolution of foreign prices and our exchange rate, as well as domestic cost pressures", the BoE governor said.

The U.K. trade deficit in goods narrowed to £8.4 billion in January from £9.9 billion in December, beating expectations for a deficit of £9.7 billion. That was the lowest level since March 2014.

December's figure was revised up from a deficit of £10.2 billion.

The decline was driven by higher service exports and lower oil imports.

Exports fell by £1 billion, while imports declined by £2.5 billion. The decline in imports was the largest monthly decline since July 2006.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,761.07 +39.56 +0.59 %

DAX 11,799.39 -6.60 -0.06 %

CAC 40 4,987.33 -10.42 -0.21 %

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its labour market data on Thursday. Australia's unemployment rate fell to 6.3% in February from 6.4% in January. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 6.4%.

The number of employed people in Australia rose by 15,600 in February, exceeding expectations for an increase by 15,300, after a drop by 14,600 in January. January's figure was revised down from a decline by 12,200.

Full-time employment surged by 10,300 in February, while part-time employment rose 5,300.

Participation rate decreased to 64.6% in February from 64.7% in January. January's figure was revised down from 64.8%.

These figures might be not enough to ease pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia to lower its interest rate again. The central bank said that rising unemployment was one of the main reasons for the interest rate cut in February.

Eurostat released its industrial production figures for the Eurozone on Thursday. Industrial production in the Eurozone declined 0.1% in January, missing expectations for a 0.3% increase, after a 0.3% rise in December. That was the first decrease in five months.

December's figure was revised up from a flat reading.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's industrial production rose 1.2% in January, after a 0.6% increase in December. December's figure was revised up from a 0.2 decrease.

Production of durable consumer goods dropped by 2.2% in January, output of intermediate goods fell 0.5, energy output rose by 0.9%, while capital and non-durable consumer goods output increased 0.1% each.

The largest declines in industrial production were registered in Latvia and Finland, and the highest rises in Malta.

These figures indicate that GDP growth in the Eurozone will remain weak in the first quarter.

Statistics Canada released its new housing price index on Thursday. New housing price index in Canada fell 0.1% in January, missing expectations for a 0.2% gain, after a 0.1% increase in December. That was the first decline since July 2010.

The drop was driven by declines in the Toronto and Oshawa region where prices decreased 0.1% due to lower negotiated sales prices.

Prices fell in five of the 21 metropolitan areas, while five climbed. Prices were unchanged in 11 metropolitan areas.

The U.S. Commerce Department released the business inventories data on Thursday. The U.S. business inventories were flat in January, beating expectations for a 0.2% increase, after a flat reading in December. December's figure was revised up from a 0.1% rise.

Business sales declined 2.0% in January, the largest decrease since March 2009.

Retail inventories excluding autos climbed 0.1% in January, after a flat reading in December.

The business inventories/sales ratio climbed 1.35 months in January from 1.33 in December, the highest ration since July 2009. The business inventories /sales ratio is a measure of how long it would take to clear shelves.

The U.S. Labor Department released its import and export prices data on Thursday. The U.S. import price index increased by 0.4 percent in February, beating expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a 3.1% drop in January. That was the first increase in eight months.

January's figure was revised down from a 2.8% decrease.

Import prices increased as oil prices have mostly stabilized. Petroleum import prices surged 8.1% in February.

A stronger U.S. currency lowers the price of imported goods.

Prices of goods imported from the European Union declined 1% in February, prices of Chinese imports decreased 0.2%.

Prices of imports from Canada, Mexico and Latin American countries increased in February.

U.S. export prices declined by 0.1% in February, after a revised 1.9% drop in January.

The U.S. Commerce Department released the retail sales data on Thursday. The U.S. retail sales dropped 0.6% in February, missing expectations for a 0.5% increase, after a 0.8% decline in January.

The decline was driven by bad weather.

That was the first time since 2012 that retail sales had declined for three consecutive months.

Retail sales excluding automobiles fell 0.1% in February, missing forecasts for a 0.6% rise, after a 1.1% drop in January. January's figure was revised down from a 0.9% decline.

Automobiles sales decreased 2.5% in February.

Gasoline station sales climbed 1.5% as gasoline prices increased about 9 cents in February.

Sales at clothing retailers were flat. Sales at electronics and appliance outlets declined 1.2%, sales at building material and garden equipment stores dropped 2.3% and sales at restaurants and bars fell 0.6%.

Sales at online stores climbed 2.2%, whiles ales at sporting goods and hobby shops rose 2.3%.

These figures indicate that the U.S. economic growth and consumer spending will slow down the first quarter.

U.S. stock-index futures climbed as financial companies rose and investors weighed data showing an unexpected drop in monthly retail sales.

Global markets:

Nikkei 18,991.11 +267.59 +1.43%

Hang Seng 23,797.96 +79.99 +0.34%

Shanghai Composite 3,349.08 +58.18 +1.77%

FTSE 6,787.25 +65.74 +0.98%

CAC 4,991.75 -6.00 -0.12%

DAX 11,772.8 -33.19 -0.28%

Crude oil $48.40 (+0.50%)

Gold $1156.30 (+0.50%)

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

The U.K. Office for National Statistics (ONS) released trade data on Wednesday. The U.K. trade deficit in goods narrowed to £8.4 billion in January from £9.9 billion in December, beating expectations for a deficit of £9.7 billion. That was the lowest level since March 2014.

December's figure was revised up from a deficit of £10.2 billion.

The decline was driven by higher service exports and lower oil imports.

Exports fell by £1 billion, while imports declined by £2.5 billion. The decline in imports was the largest monthly decline since July 2006.

Imports of oil declined by £1.2 billion.

European stocks trade mixed today with the DAX and CAC40 taking a breather after the recent rally. A weaker Wall Street and continuing uncertainty over Greece weigh- on Tuesday German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble warned that Greece is wasting time. The ECB's QE, its massive bond buying program, continues to lend support.

U.K.'s RICS House Price Balance rose 14%, far more than the expected 6% for February. January data had a reading of 7%.

Data on German CPI came in unchanged and in line with expectations remaining at +0.9% in February. French CPI rose more than expected +0.7%, 0.1% above estimates.

Eurozone's Industrial Production declined unexpectedly in January by -0.1% from a flat reading in the previous period. Analysts expected Industrial Production to rise +0.3%.

Later in the day U.S. data including Retail Sales, Initial Jobless Claims and Business Inventories will be in the focus.

The commodity heavy FTSE 100 index is currently trading +0.87% quoted at 6,780.08, boosted by gains in the mining sector. Germany's DAX 30 lost -0.25% trading at 11,777.06 setting a new all-time high at 11,828.52 points earlier. France's CAC 40 is currently trading at 4,989.11 points, -0.17%.

European stocks open steady to higher after yesterday's sharp rally despite a weaker Wall Street and continuing uncertainty over Greece - on Tuesday German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble warned that Greece is wasting time. The ECB's QE, its massive bond buying program, continues to lend support.

U.K.'s RICS House Price Balance rose 14%, far more than the expected 6% for February. January data had a reading of 7%.

Data on German CPI came in unchanged and in line with expectations remaining at +0.9% in February. French CPI rose more than expected +0.7%, 0.1% above estimates.

At 10:00 GMT Eurozone's Industrial Production will be in the focus and later in the day U.S. data including Retail Sales, Initial Jobless Claims and Business Inventories.

The commodity heavy FTSE 100 index is currently trading +0.73% quoted at 6,770.81, boosted by gains in the mining sector. Germany's DAX 30 lost -0.07% trading at 11,798.09 setting a new all-time high at 11,828.52 points. France's CAC 40 is currently trading at 4,996.09 points, -0.03%.

U.S. stocks closed lower on Wednesday for a second session in a row with both indices being negative for the year. Speculations on the FED hiking interest rates weighs on the markets. The S&P 500 closed -0.19% with a final quote of 2,040.24 points, after yesterday's biggest drop in almost two months. The DOW JONES index declined by -0.16% closing at 17,635.39 points, now significantly below the psychologically important 18,000 points mark.

Chinese stocks were trading higher on Thursday on bets on further monetary measures by the PBoC to spur the economy. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added +0.29% trading at 23,786.13 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,349.08 points gaining +1.77% at the close - the highest closing since January.

The Nikkei posted the biggest gains in a month on Thursday and closed +1.43% with a final quote of 18,991.11 points, setting a new 15-year high. Intraday the index even traded above the 19,000 points mark. Bullish sentiment was driven by a reported pay raise from Toyota Motors that others may follow. Increasing wages are a part of the Japanese Governments plan to boost the economy.

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

Nikkei 225 18,723.52 +58.41 +0.31 %

Hang Seng 23,717.97 -179.01 -0.75 %

Shanghai Composite 3,291.48+5.41 +0.16 %

FTSE 100 6,721.51 +18.67 +0.28 %

CAC 40 4,997.75 +115.80 +2.37 %

Xetra DAX 11,805.99 +305.61 +2.66 %

S&P 500 2,040.24 -3.92 -0.19 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,849.94 -9.85 -0.20 %

Dow Jones 17,635.39 -27.55 -0.16 %