European stocks close: stocks closed higher as concerns over a slowdown in the Chinese economy eased and the Chinese stock market stabilised

Stock indices closed higher as concerns over a slowdown in the Chinese economy eased and the Chinese stock market stabilised.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mostly positive. M3 money supply rose 5.3% in July from last year, beating expectations for a 4.9% gain, after a 5.0 % increase in June.

Loans to the private sector in the Eurozone climbed 0.9% in July from the last year, exceeding expectations for a 0.8% rise, after a 0.6% gain in June.

German import prices declined by 1.7% in July from last year, after a 1.4% fall in June. On a monthly base, import prices decreased 0.7% in July, after a 0.5% fall in June.

Export prices in Germany climbed 1.2% year-on-year in July, after a 1.3% increase in June. On a monthly base, export prices were up 0.1% in July, after a 0.1% decline in June.

Spain's economy expanded 1.0% the second quarter, after a 0.9% growth in the first quarter. It was the fastest growth since the first quarter of 2007.

It was the eighth consecutive increase.

On a yearly, GDP grew 3.1% in the second quarter, after a 2.7% in the first quarter. It was the fastest growth since the fourth quarter of 2007.

The French manufacturing confidence index increased to 103 in August from 102 in July.

The Nationwide Building Society released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. UK house prices were up 0.3% in August, missing expectations for a 0.4% rise, after a 0.4% increase in July.

On a yearly basis, house prices fell to 3.2% in August from 3.5% in July, beating expectations for a fall to 3.1%. It was the lowest increase since June 2013.

"However, with UK house building running well below the expected rate of household formation in recent years and with demand for homes rising, a significant increase in construction activity is required if affordability is not to become stretched in the years ahead," Nationwide's chief economist, Robert Gardner, said.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,192.03 +212.83 +3.56 %

DAX 10,315.62 +318.19 +3.18 %

CAC 40 4,658.18 +157.13 +3.49 %