European stock markets mid session: stocks rose before the U.S. jobs market data

Stock indices climbed ahead the U.S. labour market data. The European Central Bank’s stimulus measures still weighed on stocks.

Earlier in the trading session, German economic data was released. Germany's trade surplus climbed to €17.7 billion in April from €15.0 billion in March. March’s figure was revised up from a surplus of €14.8 billion. Analysts had expected Germany’s trade surplus to increase to €15.2 billion.

German industrial production rose 0.2% in April, missing expectations for a 0.4% gain, after a 0.5% decline in March. On a yearly basis, the industrial production in Germany increased 1.8% in April, after a 3.0% rise in March.

Germany’s current account surplus declined to €18.4 billion in April from €19.5 billion in March.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,832.24                              +18.75                      +0.28%

DAX                                     9,975.52                               +27.69                       +0.28%

CAC 40                                4,565.94                               +17.21                      +0.38%