European stocks close: stocks closed higher ahead of the ECB’s interest rate decision on Thursday

Stock indices closed higher ahead of the ECB's interest rate decision on Thursday. The ECB will unveil details of its quantitative easing programme.

Retail sales in the Eurozone rose 1.1% in January, beating expectations for a 0.2% increase, after a 0.4% gain in December. December's figure was revised up from a 0.3% rise.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone surged 3.7% in January, after a 3.1% increase in December. December's figure was revised up from a 2.8% gain.

Eurozone' final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 53.7 in February from a preliminary reading of 53.9. Analysts had expected the final index to remain unchanged at 53.9.

Germany's final services PMI declined to 54.7 in February from a preliminary reading of 55.5. Analysts had expected the final index to remain unchanged at 55.5.

France's final services PMI remained unchanged at 53.4 in February, in line with expectations.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. decreased to 56.7 in February from 57.2 in January, missing expectations for a rise to 57.6.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,919.24 +30.11 +0.44 %

DAX 11,390.38 +110.02 +0.98 %

CAC 40 4,917.35 +48.10 +0.99 %