European stocks close: stocks closed higher as the Conservatives won the UK's parliamentary election

Stock indices closed higher as the Conservatives won the UK's parliamentary election. The Conservative Party with the current Premier Minister David Cameron won 330 seats. It is enough to have a majority in the parliament.

The U.S. labour market data also supported markets. The U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in April, missing expectations for a rise of 224,000 jobs, after a gain of 85,000 jobs in March. March's figure was revised down from a rise of 126,000 jobs.

The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 5.4% in April from 5.5% in March, in line with expectations. It was lowest level since May 2008.

German industrial production dropped 0.5% in March, missing expectations for a 0.4% rise, after a flat reading in February. February's figure was revised down from a 1.4% increase.

Germany's seasonally adjusted trade surplus narrowed to €19.3 billion in March from €20.0 billion in February. February's figure was revised up from a surplus of €19.7 billion.

The U.K. trade deficit in goods narrowed to £10.1 billion in March from £10.8 billion in February. February's figure was revised down from a deficit of £10.3 billion.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 7,046.82 +159.87 +2.32 %

DAX 11,709.73 +301.76 +2.65 %

CAC 40 5,090.39 +123.17 +2.48 %