European stocks close: stocks closed higher, the announcement of ECB’s further stimulus measures still supports

Stock indices traded higher. The announcement of ECB's further stimulus measures still supports The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi said at the press conference yesterday that the central bank will launch an expanded asset purchase programme of 60 billion euro a month starting from March 2015 until September 2016.

The central bank kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.05%.

Eurozone's preliminary manufacturing PMI increased to 51.0 in January from 50.6 in November, in line with expectations.

Eurozone's preliminary services PMI rose to 52.3 in January from 51.6 in December. Analysts had expected the index to climb to 52.1.

Germany's preliminary manufacturing PMI decreased to 51.0 in January from 51.2 in December, missing forecasts of an increase to 51.8.

Germany's preliminary services PMI increased to 52.7 in January from 52.1 in December, beating expectations for a gain to 52.6.

France's preliminary manufacturing PMI rose to 49.5 in January from 47.5 in December, exceeding forecasts of a rise to 48.1.

France's preliminary services PMI fell to 49.5 in January from 50.6 in December, missing expectations for a gain to 50.9.

Retail sales in the U.K. increased 0.4% in December, exceeding expectations for a 0.6% drop, after a 1.6% gain in November.

The increase was driven by lower petrol prices and higher demand in food.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. climbed 4.3% in December, beating expectations for a 3.0% rise, after a 6.4% increase in November.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,832.83 +36.20 +0.53%

DAX 10,649.58 +213.96 +2.05%

CAC 40 4,640.69 +87.89 +1.93%