European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher on the Chinese trade data

Stock indices traded higher on the Chinese trade data. The Chinese Customs Office released its trade data on Wednesday. China's trade surplus dropped to $29.86 billion in March from $32.59 billion in February, missing expectations for a decline to a surplus of $30.85 billion. Exports climbed at an annual rate of 11.5% in March, while imports slid at an annual rate of 13.8%, the sixteenth consecutive decline.

Market participants also eyed the economic data from the Eurozone. Eurostat released its industrial production data for the Eurozone on Wednesday. Industrial production in the Eurozone fell 0.8% in February, missing expectations for a 0.7% decrease, after a 1.9% rise in January. January's figure was revised down from a 2.1% increase.

Non-durable consumer goods output dropped 1.8% in February, capital goods output decreased 0.3%, while energy output fell 1.2%. Intermediate goods output were flat in February, while durable consumer goods declined 0.4%.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's industrial production rise 0.8% in February, missing expectations for a 1.2% rise, after a 2.9% increase in January. January's figure was revised up from a 2.8% gain.

Durable consumer goods climbed by 0.8% in February from a year ago, capital goods rose by 3.0%, non-durable consumer goods gained by 0.7%, while intermediate goods output increased by 1.9%. Energy output declined by 5.2% in February from a year ago.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,334.24 +91.85 +1.47 %

DAX 9,979.35 +217.88 +2.23 %

CAC 40 4,452.56 +106.65 +2.45 %