European stocks close: stocks closed higher on a weaker euro

Stock indices closed higher on a weaker euro.

Industrial production in France was flat in February, beating expectations for a 0.1% decline, after a 0.3% rise in January. January's figure was revised down from a 0.4% increase.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production rose 0.3% in February, after a 0.6% gain in January.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research's estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) for the U.K. rose by 0.6% in three months to March, after a 0.6% growth in three months to February.

Manufacturing production in the U.K. rose 0.4% in February, in line with expectations, after a 0.6% decline in January. January's figure was revised down from a 0.5% decrease.

On a yearly basis, manufacturing production in the U.K. increased 1.1% in February, missing expectations for a 1.3% gain, after a 1.7% rise in January. January's figure was revised down from a 1.9% gain.

Industrial production in the U.K. climbed 0.1% in February, missing forecasts of a 0.3% rise, after a 0.1% decline in January.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in the U.K. gained 0.1% in February, missing expectations for a 0.3% rise, after a 1.2% increase in January. January's figure was revised down from a 1.3% rise.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 7,089.77 +74.41 +1.06 %

DAX 12,374.73 +208.29 +1.71 %

CAC 40 5,240.46 +31.51 +0.60 %