European stocks close: stocks closed lower after the mixed U.S. labour market data

Stock indices closed lower after the mixed U.S. labour market data. The U.S. economy added 215,000 jobs in July, missing expectations for a rise of 223,000 jobs, after a gain of 231,000 jobs in June. June's figure was revised up from a rise of 223,000 jobs.

The U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.3% in July, in line with expectations. It was the lowest level since April 2008.

Average hourly earnings rose 0.2% in July, in line with forecasts, after a flat reading in June.

Investors expect the Fed to start raising its interest rates soon.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mixed. German industrial production dropped 1.4% in June, missing expectations for a 0.3% gain, after a 0.2% rise in May. It was the biggest decline since August 2014.

May's figure was revised up from a flat reading.

The output of capital goods plunged 2.6% in June, energy output climbed 2.3%, and the production in the construction sector was down 4.5%, while the production of intermediate goods fell 0.3%.

The output of consumer goods decreased 0.2%.

Germany's seasonally adjusted trade surplus was €22.0 billion in June.

Exports fell at a seasonally and calendar-adjusted 1.0% in June, while imports declined 0.5%.

According to the French Customs, France's trade deficit narrowed to €2.66 billion in June from €4.0 billion in May. It was the lowest level since March 2007.

The decline in deficit was driven by a rise in exports of transport equipment.

Industrial production in France fell 0.1% in June, missing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a 0.4% gain in May.

The decline was driven by a drop in manufacturing and construction output. Manufacturing output was down 0.7% in June, while construction output decreased 2.5%.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production rose 1.0% in June, after a 1.6% gain in May. May's figure was revised down from a 2.4% increase.

The Bank of England (BoE) Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent said in an interview on Friday that there is no urgency to start raising interest rates. He added that "there is not that much inflationary pressure at the moment".

The BoE deputy governor pointed out that it would be foolish to pre-announce when the central bank starts to hike its interest rate.

The U.K. Office for National Statistics (ONS) released trade data for the U.K. on Friday. The U.K. trade deficit in goods widened to £9.2 billion in June from £8.4 billion in May. May's figure was revised up from a deficit of £8.00 billion.

The rise in the trade deficit was driven by a weaker demand in the Eurozone and a stronger pound.

The total trade deficit, including services, widened to £1.60 billion in June from £0.89 billion in May. May's figure was revised up from a deficit of £0.39 billion.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,718.49 -28.60 -0.42 %

DAX 11,490.83 -94.27 -0.81 %

CAC 40 5,154.75 -37.36 -0.72 %