European stocks close: most stocks closed lower despite the better-than-industrial production from the Eurozone

Most stock indices closed lower despite the better-than-industrial production from the Eurozone. Industrial production in the Eurozone rose 1.1% in February, exceeding expectations for a 0.3% increase, after a 0.3% drop in January. January's figure was revised down from a 0.1% decline.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's industrial production gained 1.6% in February, beating forecasts of a 0.5% rise, after a 0.4% increase in January. January's figure was revised down from a 1.2 gain.

Concerns over Greece's debt problems continue to weigh on markets. A report said that Greece was preparing for a debt default if the government did not reach a deal with its creditors by the end of the month. Greece denied the report.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgraded its growth forecast for the Eurozone for 2015 to 1.5% from 1.2%. The growth forecast for 2016 was also upgraded to 1.6% from 1.4%.

The IMF downgraded its growth forecast for the U.K. for 2016 to 2.3%.

The U.K. consumer price index remained at zero in March, in line with expectations.

Consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol and tobacco prices fell to 1.0% in March from 1.2% the month before. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 1.2%.

The Retail Prices Index declined to 0.9% in March from 1.0% in February, in line with expectations.

The consumer price inflation is below the Bank of England's 2% target.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 7,075.26 +10.96 +0.16 %

DAX 12,227.6 -111.13 -0.90 %

CAC 40 5,218.06 -36.06 -0.69 %