The stock indices stocks traded mixed amid the better-than-expected U.S. housing market data. Investors were cautious ahead of this weekend’s European Parliament elections.

The IFO - Business Climate index for Germany dropped to a 5-month low of 110.4 in May, from 111.2 in March. Analysts had expected the index to decline to 111.0. Market participants hope the further stimulus measures by the European Central Bank will be introduced in June due to recently released weak economic data in the Eurozone.

German gross domestic product climbed 0.8% in the first quarter (Q4 2013: +0.8%), meeting analysts’ expectations.

On a yearly basis, German gross domestic product rose 2.3% in the first quarter (Q4 2013: +2.2%), exceeding analysts’ expectations of a 2.2% gain.

The business climate index in Belgium decreased to -6.8 in March, from -4.6 in February. Analysts had expected -4.7.

Pandora A/S declined 4.2% as some shareholders sold a stake of about 10%.

Indexes on the close:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                            6,815.75                                -4.81                      -0.07%

DAX                                     9,768.01                            +47.10                      +0.48%

CAC 40                                4,493.15                            +14.94                      +0.33%

U.S. stock-index futures were little changed before data that may show a rebound in housing activity in the world’s largest economy.

Global markets:

Nikkei 14,462.17 +124.38 +0.87%

Hang Seng 22,965.86 +12.10 +0.05%

Shanghai Composite 2,034.57 +13.28 +0.66%

FTSE 6,800.24 -20.32 -0.30%

CAC 4,481.95 +3.74 +0.08%

DAX 9,740.13 +19.22 +0.20%

Crude oil $104.12 (+0.37%)

Gold $1290.10 (-0.73%)

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

The stock indices stocks traded mixed amid the U.S. housing market data.

The IFO - Business Climate index for Germany dropped to a 5-month low of 110.4 in May, from 111.2 in March. Analysts had expected the index to decline to 111.0. Market participants hope the further stimulus measures by the European Central Bank will be introduced in June due to recently released weak economic data in the Eurozone.

German gross domestic product climbed 0.8% in the first quarter (Q4 2013: +0.8%), meeting analysts’ expectations.

On a yearly basis, German gross domestic product rose 2.3% in the first quarter (Q4 2013: +2.2%), exceeding analysts’ expectations of a 2.2% gain.

Pandora A/S declined 3.7% as some shareholders sold a stake of about 10%.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                              6,800.3                             -20.26                      -0.30%

DAX                                     9,740.83                            +19.92                      +0.20%

CAC 40                                4,477.34                               -0.87                      -0.02%

Asian stock indices rose due to the positive U.S. economic data, following the U.S. markets. U.S. flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 56.2 in May, from 55.4 in April. Analysts had forecasted a gain to 55.6.

Sales of existing homes in the U.S. climbed to 1.3% in April to an annual rate of 4.65 million units, missing expectations of a 2.2% gain to 4.68 million. That was the first increase in 2014.

The Conference Board released its April leading economic index for China. The index increased 0.9% in April, from a 1.2 gain in March.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                      14,462.17              +124.38        +0.78%

Hang Seng                     22,965.86                +12.10        +0.05%

Shanghai Composite         2,034.57               +13.28         +0.66%

Nikkei 14,337.79 +295.62 +2.11%

Hang Seng 22,953.76 +117.24 +0.51%

Shanghai Composite 2,021.29 -3.67 -0.18%

S&P 1,892.49 +4.46 +0.24%

NASDAQ 4,154.34 +22.80 +0.55%

Dow 16,543.08 +10.02 +0.06%

FTSE 1,366.29 +1.53 +0.11%

CAC 4,478.21 +9.18 +0.21%

DAX 9,720.91 +23.04 +0.24%