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

Stock indices closed slightly higher on corporate earnings and on the mixed economic data from Eurozone. 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.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. increased to 59.5 in April from 58.9 in March, beating expectations for a fall to 58.5. It was the highest level since August 2014.

The rise was driven by an increase in new business, stronger economic confidence and warm weather.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,933.74 +6.16 +0.09 %

DAX 11,350.15 +22.47 +0.20 %

CAC 40 4,981.59 +7.52 +0.15 %