European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher on yesterday’s Fed minutes

Stock indices traded higher on yesterday's Fed minutes. The minutes added to the speculation that the Fed may not raise its interest rates this year. FOMC members noted that the U.S. labour market continued to improve, while the inflation remained at low levels.

"After assessing the outlook for economic activity, the labour market, and inflation and weighing the uncertainties associated with the outlook, all but one member concluded that, although the U.S. economy had strengthened and labour underutilization had diminished, economic conditions did not warrant an increase in the target range for the federal funds rate at this meeting," the minutes said.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was positive. The French statistical office Insee its industrial production figures on Friday. Industrial production in France climbed 1.6% in August, exceeding expectations for a 0.5% rise, after a 1.1% drop in July. It was the biggest increase since April 2013.

The increase was driven by a rise in manufacturing output. Manufacturing output was up 2.2% in August, while construction output increased 0.6%.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production rose 0.6% in August, after a 0.7% gain in July.

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 £11.15 billion in August from £12.20 billion in July. July's figure was revised up from a deficit of £11.08 billion.

Exports of goods climbed 3.5% in August, while imports declined 0.7%.

The total trade deficit, including services, narrowed to £3.27 billion in August from £4.4 billion in July. July's figure was revised up from a deficit of £3.37 billion.

Construction output in the U.K. dropped 4.3% in August, after a 1.0% drop in July. It was the largest decline since December 2012.

The ONS said that the drop may have been driven by bad weather.

On a yearly basis, construction output fell 1.4% in August, after a 2.0% increase in July. July's figure was revised up from a 0.7% decrease.

Construction makes up 6% of UK's economy.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,416.85 +42.03 +0.66 %

DAX 10,106.4 +113.33 +1.13 %

CAC 40 4,718.42 +42.51 +0.91 %