Stock indices closed higher, supported by gains of Portuguese banks and the better-than-expected Chinese gross domestic product. Banco Espirito Santo SA shares jumped 18% as Diario Economico reported the bank may raise 2 billion euros from new shareholders.

China's gross domestic product rose 7.5% in the second quarter, exceeding expectations for a 7.4% increase, after a 7.4% in the previous quarter.

Eurozone's trade balance surplus rose to €15.3 billion in May from €15.2 billion in April, missing expectations for an increase to €16.3 billion. April's figure was revised down from a surplus of €15.8 billion.

The unemployment rate in the UK decreased to 6.5% in the three months to May, from 6.6% in the previous three months. That was the lowest level since October to December 2008.

Husqvarna AB shares surged 7.9% after reporting the better-than-expected second-quarter operating income.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,784.67 +74.22 +1.11%

DAX 9,859.27 +139.86 +1.44%

CAC 40 4,369.06 +63.75 +1.48%

U.S. stock futures advanced as companies from Apple Inc. to Time Warner Inc. and Intel Corp. rallied amid deals and earnings reports while data showed China's second-quarter economic growth topped estimates.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,379.3 -15.86 -0.10%

Hang Seng 23,523.28 +63.32 +0.27%

Shanghai Composite 2,067.28 -3.08 -0.15%

FTSE 6,788.19 +77.74 +1.16%

CAC 4,371.73 +66.42 +1.54%

DAX 9,862.82 +143.41 +1.48%

Crude oil $100.73 (+0.77%)

Gold $1300.40 (+0.25%)

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

Stock indices traded higher due to the better-than-expected Chinese gross domestic product. China's gross domestic product rose 7.5% in the second quarter, exceeding expectations for a 7.4% increase, after a 7.4% in the previous quarter.

Markets participants are awaiting the Fed Chair Yellen's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee later in the day.

Eurozone's trade balance surplus rose to €15.3 billion in May from €15.2 billion in April, missing expectations for an increase to €16.3 billion. April's figure was revised down from a surplus of €15.8 billion.

The unemployment rate in the UK decreased to 6.5% in the three months to May, from 6.6% in the previous three months. That was the lowest level since October to December 2008.

Banco Espirito Santo SA shares increased 5.3%.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,771.67 +61.22 +0.91%

DAX 9,838.01 +118.60 +1.22%

CAC 40 4,366.16 +60.85 +1.41%

Asian stock indices traded little changed after the better-than-expected economic data from China. China's gross domestic product rose 7.5% in the second quarter, exceeding expectations for a 7.4% increase, after a 7.4% in the previous quarter.

Industrial production in China climbed 9.2% in June, beating forecasts for a 9.0% rise, after a 8.8% gain in May.

Fixed asset investment in China rose 17.3% in June period, exceeding expectations for a 17.2% gain, after a 17.2% increase in May.

Retail sales in China gained 12.4% in June, after 12.5% rise in May.

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) said in its monthly report on Wednesday that Japan's economy has continued to recover moderately. The BoJ also said that Japan's output gap was 0.6% in January-March, turning positive for the first time since Q2 2008.

TPK Holding Co. shares declined 4.9%.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 15,379.3 -15.86 -0.10%

Hang Seng 23,523.28 +63.32 +0.27%

Shanghai Composite 2,067.28 -3.08 -0.15%

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

Nikkei 225 15,395.16 +98.34 +0.64%

Hang Seng 23,459.96 +113.29 +0.49%

Shanghai Composite 2,070.36 +3.71 +0.18%

FTSE 100 6,710.45 -35.69 -0.53%

CAC 40 4,305.31 -44.73 -1.03%

Xetra DAX 9,719.41 -63.60 -0.65%

S&P 500 1,973.28 -3.82 -0.19%

NASDAQ 4,416.39 -24.03 -0.54%

Dow Jones 17,060.68 +5.26 +0.03%