European stocks close: stocks closed higher as Asian stock indices rose on news from China

Stock indices closed higher as Asian stock indices rose on news from China. China's Finance Ministry announced on Wednesday that it would strengthen fiscal policy to boost the economy.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its manufacturing industrial production figures for the U.K. on Wednesday. Manufacturing production in the U.K. decline 0.8% in July, missing expectations for a 0.2% gain, after a 0.2% increase in June.

Manufacturing output was driven by a drop in the vehicle production.

On a yearly basis, manufacturing production in the U.K. decreased 0.5% in July, missing forecast of a 0.5% gain, after a 0.5% rise in June.

Industrial production in the U.K. dropped 0.4% in July, missing forecasts of a 0.1% rise, after a 0.4% fall in June.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in the U.K. gained 0.8% in July, missing expectations for a 1.4% rise, after a 1.5% increase in June.

The U.K. trade deficit in goods widened to £11.1 billion in July from £8.51 billion in June.

Exports of goods fell 9.2% in July, the biggest decline in percentage terms since July 2006, while imports rose 0.8%.

The rise in the trade deficit was driven by a decline in exports of chemicals and manufactured goods.

The total trade deficit, including services, widened to £3.37 billion in July from £0.82 billion in June. June's figure was revised up from a deficit of £1.6 billion.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) released its estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) for the U.K. on Wednesday. The GDP estimate rose by 0.5% in three months to August, after a 0.6% growth in three months to July. The previous reading was revised down from a 0.7% growth.

"We expect an average rate of growth of 2.5 per cent for 2015 as a whole," the NIESR said.

The think tank expects the Bank of England to raise its interest rate in February 2016.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,229.01 +82.91 +1.35 %

DAX 10,303.12 +31.76 +0.31 %

CAC 40 4,664.59 +66.33 +1.44 %