European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher on the positive Chinese economic data

Stock indices traded higher on the positive Chinese economic data. The Chinese manufacturing PMI rose to 49.8 in September from 49.7 in August, beating expectations for a decline to 49.6, according to the Chinese government. A reading above the 50 mark indicates expansion, a reading below 50 indicates contraction.

The final Chinese Markit/Caixin manufacturing PMI declined to 47.2 in September from 47.3 in August, beating the preliminary reading of a fall to 47.0. It was the lowest level since March 2009.

"The industry has reached a crucial stage in its structural transformation. Tepid demand is a main factor behind the oversupply of manufacturing and why it has not recovered," Dr. He Fan, Chief Economist at Caixin Insight Group, said.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mostly negative. Markit Economics released its final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the Eurozone on Thursday. Eurozone's final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 52.0 in September from 52.3 in August, in line with a preliminary reading.

"Despite unprecedented central bank stimulus and substantial currency depreciation, the Eurozone manufacturing sector is failing to achieve significant growth momentum and even risks stalling again," Chris Williamson, Chief Economist at Markit said.

Germany's final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 52.3 in September from 53.3 in August, down from a preliminary reading of 52.5.

The decline was driven by a fall in input prices.

France's final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) climbed to 50.6 in September from 48.3 in August, up from the preliminary reading of 50.4.

The increase was mainly driven by a rise in output, which climbed at the fastest pace since March 2014.

Markit Economics released its manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. on Thursday. The Markit/Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply manufacturing PMI for the U.K. decreased to 51.5 in September from 51.6 in August, beating expectations for a fall to 51.3. August's figure was revised up from 51.5.

The decline was driven by a drop in input prices.

Employment also declined in September.

"The UK manufacturing sector remained sluggish at the end of the third quarter, stunned by a triple combination of a sharp slowdown in consumer spending, weak business investment and stagnating export order inflows. The survey is still broadly consistent with stagnation, or even a mild downturn, when compared to official data," Markit's Senior Economist Rob Dobson said.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,149.1 +87.49 +1.44 %

DAX 9,677.48 +17.04 +0.18 %

CAC 40 4,502.51 +47.22 +1.06 %