European stocks close: stocks closed higher on corporate earnings and economic data from the Eurozone

Stock indices closed higher on corporate earnings and economic data from the Eurozone. The number of unemployed people in Germany declined by 20,000 in February, exceeding expectations for a 10,000 decline, after a 10,000 drop in January. January's figure was revised up from a 9,000 decrease.

Germany's adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.5% in February, in line with expectations.

The Gfk German consumer confidence index increased to 9.7 in March from 9.3 in February, beating forecasts for a rise to 9.6.

Eurozone's adjusted M3 money supply rose 4.1% in January, exceeding expectations for a 3.8% increase, after a 3.6 gain in December.

The U.K. revised GDP (gross domestic product) climbed by 0.5% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations and the previous estimate.

On a yearly basis, the U.K. revised GDP gained 2.7% in the fourth quarter, in line with expectations and the previous estimate.

The U.K. business investment fell 1.4% in the fourth quarter, missing forecasts for a 2.3% gain, after a 1.2% decline in the third quarter. The third quarter's reading was revised up from a 1.4% drop.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,949.73 +14.35 +0.21%

DAX 11,327.19 +116.92 +1.04%

CAC 40 4,910.62 +28.40 +0.58%