European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher as the Chinese stock market stabilised

Stock indices traded higher as the Chinese stock market stabilised. The China Securities Regulatory Commission announced on Thursday that it suspended circuit-breaker rules. The circuit-breaker rules intended to stop free-falling share prices and to calm markets.

Yesterday's trading session was halted after less than half an hour after opening as China's central continued to devaluate the yuan. It was the shortest trading day in the stock market's 25-year history.

Meanwhile, the economic data from Eurozone was mostly weaker than expected. Destatis released its industrial production data for Germany on Friday. German industrial production fell 0.3% in November, missing expectations for a 0.5% gain, after a 0.5% rise in October. October's figure was revised up from a 0.2% increase.

The output of capital goods decreased 3.3% in November, energy output rose 2.5%, and the production in the construction sector was up 1.6%, while the production of intermediate goods climbed 1.1%. The output of consumer goods jumped 1.9%.

German industrial production excluding energy and construction declined by 0.8% in November.

Germany's seasonally adjusted trade surplus decreased to €19.7 billion in November from 20.5 in October.

Exports rose at a seasonally and calendar-adjusted 0.4% in November, while imports climbed 1.6%.

On a yearly basis, German exports increased 7.7% in November, while imports rose by 5.3%.

Germany's current account surplus was at €24.7 billion in November, up from €22.9 billion in October. October's figure was revised down from a surplus of €23.0 billion.

According to the French Customs, France's trade deficit narrowed to €4.63 billion in November from €4.87 billion in October, missing expectations for a decline to a deficit of €3.95 billion. Exports climbed 3.0% in November, while imports rose 2.0%.

The French statistical office Insee its industrial production figures on Friday. Industrial production in France declined 0.9% in November, missing expectations for a 0.4% decline, after a 0.7% rise in October.

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 £10.64 billion in November from £11.20 billion in October. October's figure was revised down from a deficit of £11.83 billion.

The decline in deficit was driven by a drop in imports. Exports of goods dropped 1.3% in November, while imports slid 2.5%.

The total trade deficit, including services, narrowed to £3.17 billion in November from £3.51 billion in October. October's figure was revised down from a deficit of £4.14 billion.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 5,985.84 +31.76 +0.53 %

DAX 10,025.77 +45.92 +0.46 %

CAC 40 4,403.41 -0.17 0.00%