European stocks close: stocks closed higher due to the better-than-forecasted corporate earnings

Stock indices closed higher as E.ON and Swiss Life posted the better-than-forecasted earnings.

Eurozone's industrial production declined 0.3% in June, missing forecasts of a 0.5% rise, after a 1.1% fall in May.

The unemployment rate in the UK decreased to 6.4% in in the three months to June, in line with expectations, down from 6.5% a month earlier. That was the lowest level since late 2008.

The claimant count declined by 33,600 people in July, exceeding expectations for a fall of 29,700, after a decrease of 39,500 people in June.

But the average earnings index, including bonuses, fell by 0.2% in the three months to June, missing expectations for a 0.1% decrease, after a 0.4% rise in the three months to May. That was first negative average earnings index since March-May 2009.

The cut of forecast for wage growth in 2014 by the Bank of England weighed on markets. The BoE lowered its forecast to 1.25% from 2.5%.

Investors continue to monitor tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine plans to block a Russian humanitarian aid convoy.

E.ON shares jumped 5.1% after reporting the first-half net income beat analysts' forecast.

Merck KGaA shares increased 3.2% after reporting the better-than-forecasted second-quarter earnings.

Swiss Life Holding AG shares 7.1% after reporting the better-than-forecasted first-half profit. The company also said that it will buy real estate asset manager Corpus Sireo.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,656.68 +24.26 +0.37%

DAX 9,198.88 +129.41 +1.43%

CAC 40 4,194.79 +32.63 +0.78%