European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher, supported by last week’s further stimulus measures by the ECB

Stock indices traded higher, supported by last week's further stimulus measures by the European Central Bank's (ECB). The central bank last Thursday cut its interest rate to 0.00% from 0.05% and deposit rate to -0.4% from -0.3%. The ECB also expanded its monthly purchases to €80 billion from €60 billion, to take effect in April. Purchases will include non-bank corporate debt. The central bank will launch further four targeted longer-term refinancing operations (LTRO).

Market participants also eyed the Eurozone's economic data. Eurostat released its industrial production data for the Eurozone on Monday. Industrial production in the Eurozone climbed 2.1% in January, exceeding expectations for a 1.7% increase, after a 0.5% fall in December.

Non-durable consumer goods output increased 2.4% in January, capital goods output climbed 3.9%, while energy output rose 2.4%.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's industrial production rise 2.8% in January, exceeding expectations for a 1.4% rise, after a 0.1% decrease in December. December's figure was revised up from a 1.3% drop.

Durable consumer goods climbed by 3.2% in January from a year ago, capital goods rose by 4.6%, non-durable consumer goods gained by 7.3%, while intermediate goods output increased by 1.9%.

Energy output declined by 3.7% in January from a year ago.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,177.26 +37.47 +0.61 %

DAX 9,989.85 +158.72 +1.61 %

CAC 40 4,518.07 +25.28 +0.56 %