Stock indices closed higher on corporate earnings and economic data from the Eurozone. The number of unemployed people in Germany declined by 20,000 in February, exceeding expectations for a 10,000 decline, after a 10,000 drop in January. January's figure was revised up from a 9,000 decrease.

Germany's adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.5% in February, in line with expectations.

The Gfk German consumer confidence index increased to 9.7 in March from 9.3 in February, beating forecasts for a rise to 9.6.

Eurozone's adjusted M3 money supply rose 4.1% in January, exceeding expectations for a 3.8% increase, after a 3.6 gain in December.

The U.K. revised GDP (gross domestic product) climbed by 0.5% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations and the previous estimate.

On a yearly basis, the U.K. revised GDP gained 2.7% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations and the previous estimate.

The U.K. business investment fell 1.4% in the fourth quarter, missing forecasts for a 2.3% gain, after a 1.2% decline in the third quarter. The third quarter's reading was revised up from a 1.4% drop.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,949.73 +14.35 +0.21%

DAX 11,327.19 +116.92 +1.04%

CAC 40 4,910.62 +28.40 +0.58%

The U.S. Commerce Department released durable goods orders data on Thursday. The U.S. durable goods orders rose 2.8% in January, exceeding expectations for a 1.7% increase, after a 3.7% decline in December. December's figure was revised down from a 3.3% decrease.

The decline was driven by increasing demand for computers and machinery.

The U.S. durable goods orders excluding transportation climbed 0.3% in January, missing expectations for a 0.6% gain, after a 0.9% decrease in December. December's figure was revised down from a 0.8% fall.

The U.S. durable goods orders excluding defence increased 0.6% in January.

The U.S. Labor Department released consumer price inflation data on Thursday. The U.S. consumer price inflation fell 0.7% in January, missing expectations for a 0.6% decrease, after a 0.4% decline in December. That was largest decline since December 2008.

The declines was driven by lower gasoline prices. Gasoline prices dropped 18.7 in January, the biggest decline since December 2008.

On a yearly basis, the U.S. consumer price index fell to -0.1% in January from 0.8% in December. That was the lowest level since October 2009.

The U.S. consumer price inflation excluding food and energy gained 0.2% in January, exceeding expectations for a 0.1% increase, after a flat reading in December.

On a yearly basis, the U.S. consumer price index excluding food and energy remained unchanged at 1.6% in January.

Energy costs dropped 9.7% in January, the largest drop since November 2008.

Statistics Canada released consumer price inflation data on Thursday. Canadian consumer price inflation decreased 0.2% in January, beating expectations for a 0.3% decline, after a 0.7% drop in December.

On a yearly basis, the consumer price index fell to 1.0% January from 1.5% in December. That was the lowest level since November 2013.

The consumer price index was driven by lower gasoline prices. Gasoline prices plunged 12.4% in January from a month earlier.

Canadian core consumer price index, which excludes some volatile goods, increased 0.2% in January, exceeding expectations for a 0.1%, after a 0.3% decrease in December.

On a yearly basis, core consumer price index in Canada remained unchanged at 2.2% in January.

The Bank of Canada's inflation target is 2.0%.

U.S. stock-index futures are mixed as investors looked to earnings and economic reports for clues on the economy's strength.

Global markets:

Nikkei 18,785.79 +200.59 +1.08%

Hang Seng 24,902.06 +123.78 +0.50%

Shanghai Composite 3,299.01 +70.17 +2.17%

FTSE 6,922.93 -12.45 -0.18%

CAC 4,882.4 +0.18 0.00%

DAX 11,253.09 +42.82 +0.38%

Crude oil $49.73 (-2.49%)

Gold $1215.40 (+1.17%)

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Other:

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) reiterated at Buy at Argus, target raised to $68 from $65

Starbucks (SBUX) reiterated at Buy at Jefferies, target raised to $108 from $97

Market research company GfK released its consumer confidence index for Germany on Wednesday. The Gfk German consumer confidence index increased to 9.7 in March from 9.3 in February, beating forecasts for a rise to 9.6. That was the highest level since October 2001.

Gfk said that "the drop in energy prices is boosting the purchasing power of private households and opening up room for further spending ".

A weaker euro and falling oil prices boost consumers' purchasing power and German exporters.

European stocks added gains on Thursday continuing the recent rally although markets remain cautious about the Greek debt deal. The IMF and the ECB warned that the reform plans are not detailed enough and Athens will have to take further steps to ensure further bailout releases.

Data from Eurozone's biggest economy was better-than-expected. The German Gfk Consumer Confidence Survey index rose to 9.7 from 9.3 in January, slightly better than the forecasts of 9.6.

Today the Federal Labor Agency in Nürnberg reported that the number of unemployed people sank twice the forecasted amount. Economists predicted a drop of 10,000 but data showed it declined by seasonally adjusted 20,000 to 2.8 million - a proof that Eurozone's biggest economy is growing. The Unemployment Rate remained unchanged at 6.5%, in line with forecasts and at a record low.

The U.K. economy grew as expected by +0.5% in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to +0.7% in the previous quarter. The figure was unrevised from the Office for National Statistics original estimate. Year on year the economy expanded +2.7%, also in line with expectations. The data underlined the optimism about the country's economy.

Business Investment in the U.K. fell at the fastest pace in almost six years by -1.4%, far below estimates of an increase of +2.3% and below a revised previous reading of -1.2% (revised from -1.4%). Lower oil prices led to declining investments in the energy sector. Year on year Business Investment rose less at a pace of +2.3% compared to revised +6.3% (+2.7%).

Eurozone's adjusted M3 Money Supply for January rose +4.1%, above forecasts of an increase of +3.8%. Private Loans declined less than predicted by -0.1% in January.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading +0.04% quoted at 6,938.45. Germany's DAX 30 added +0.28% trading at 11,241.34, a new all-time high. France's CAC 40 is currently trading at 4,898.56 points, +0.33%.

European stocks are little changed in early trading on Thursday as markets remain cautious about the Greek debt deal and take a breather after the recent rally. The IMF and the ECB warned that the reform plans are not detailed enough and Athens will have to take further steps to ensure further bailout releases.

Data from Eurozone's biggest economy was better-than-expected. The German Gfk Consumer Confidence Survey index rose to 9.7 from 9.3 in January, slightly better than the forecasts of 9.6.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading +0.08% quoted at 6,940.63 points. Germany's DAX 30 is trading -0.01 at 11,209.21 points. France's CAC 40 gained +0.02%, currently trading at 4,883.02 points.

Wall Street closed almost flat on Wednesday after mixed U.S. data with the DOW JONES extending yesterday's all-time high. Yesterday FED Chair Janet Yellen testified before the House Financial Services Committee and reiterated that it is unlikely that the Fed will raise its interest rate in "the next couple of FOMC meetings" as the labour market is improving but inflation and wage growth are too low. A rate hike in June is seen less likely. The FED's policy is in contrast to those of its counterparts in Europe, China and Japan as they boost their economies with loose monetary policy.

Today a set of U.S. data including Initial Jobless Claims and CPI will be in the focus.

The DOW JONES index added +0.08% closing at 18,224.57 points, slightly extend its all-time high. The S&P 500 closed -0.08% with a final quote of 2,113.86 points.

Chinese stocks rallied, led by the industrial and financial sector on speculations on further stimulus measures taken by the PBoC. Premier Li stated that the economy needs more active fiscal policy. In a report the central bank said additional monetary easing is needed. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is trading +0.40% at 24,877.31 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,298.75 points +2.17%.

Japanese markets resumed hitting fresh 15-year highs as risk appetite returned. The Nikkei closed +1.08% with a final quote of 18,785.79 points, the highest closing since April 2000. Markets were also supported by the fact that the fund managing Japan's national civil service pensions plans to raise its target allocation for domestic stocks from 8 to 25%.

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

Nikkei 225 18,585.2 -18.28 -0.10 %

Hang Seng 24,778.28 +28.21 +0.11 %

Shanghai Composite 3,228.84 -18.06 -0.56 %

FTSE 100 6,935.38 -14.25 -0.21 %

CAC 40 4,882.22 -4.22 -0.09 %

S&P 500 2,113.86 -1.62 -0.08 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,967.14 -0.99 -0.02 %

Dow Jones 18,224.57 +15.38 +0.08 %