European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher ahead UK’s parliamentary elections tomorrow

Stock indices traded higher ahead UK's parliamentary elections tomorrow. 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.

The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), a Eurosceptic and right-wing populist political party in the U.K., may win seats in the parliament. It will not will contribute to political stability in the U.K.

Retail sales in the Eurozone fell 0.8% in March, missing expectations for a 0.7% decrease, after a 0.1% gain in February. February's figure was revised up from a 0.2% drop.

It was the first negative monthly reading since September 2014.

The decline was driven by lower gasoline sales, which dropped 2.8% in March.

Greece repaid a 200-million-euro loan from the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday.

Eurozone's final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 54.1 in April from 54.2 in March, up from a preliminary reading of 53.7.

Spain was the top performers in April.

Germany's final services PMI decreased to 54.0 in April from 55.4 in March, down from a preliminary reading of 54.4.

France's final services PMI dropped to 51.4 in April from 52.4 in March, up a preliminary reading of 50.8.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,943.68 +16.10 +0.23 %

DAX 11,399.74 +72.06 +0.64 %

CAC 40 4,994.22 +20.15 +0.41 %