European stocks close: stocks closed mixed on a weaker euro and as a selloff of government bonds eased

Stock indices closed mixed on a weaker euro and as a selloff of government bonds eased. The euro fell against the greenback after the number of initial jobless claims. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending May 02 in the U.S. climbed by 3,000 to 265,000 from 262,000 in the previous week, beating expectations for a rise by 18,000.

The uncertainty around today's parliamentary elections in the U.K. also weighed on markets. The win of the Conservatives is expected to have a negative impact on the pound as the Conservatives want to carry out a referendum on Britain's membership in the European Union (EU). The Labour Party said that the Britain's exit from the EU will be a catastrophe for the U.K. The Labour Party has promised to reduce the budget deficit.

German seasonal adjusted factory orders jumped 0.9% in March, missing expectations for a 1.5% increase, after a 0.9% drop in February.

Industrial production in France fell 0.3% in March, missing expectations for a flat reading, after a 0.5% rise in February. February's figure was revised up from a flat reading.

The decline was driven by declines in the production of energy and water.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production rose 1.3% in March, after a 1.2% gain in February. February's figure was revised down up a 0.3% rise.

France's merchandise trade deficit widened to €4.575 billion in March from €3.623 billion in February. February's figure was revised down from a deficit of €3.4 billion.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,886.95 -46.79 -0.67 %

DAX 11,407.97 +57.82 +0.51 %

CAC 40 4,967.22 -14.37 -0.29 %