European stocks close: stocks closed higher despite the weak U.S. labour market and Eurozone’s producer price inflation data

Stock indices closed higher despite the weak U.S. labour market and Eurozone's producer price inflation data. According to the U.S. Labor Department, the U.S. economy added 142,000 jobs in September, missing expectations for a rise of 203,000 jobs, after a gain of 136,000 jobs in August. August's figure was revised down from a rise of 173,000 jobs.

The U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1% in September, in line with expectations. It was the lowest level since April 2008.

Average hourly earnings were flat in September, missing forecasts of a 0.2% gain, after a 0.4% increase in August. August's figure was revised up from a 0.3% rise.

These figures indicate that the interest rate by the Fed this month is unlikely despite comments by some Fed officials.

The European Central Bank President Marion Draghi said in New York on Thursday that the growth in the Eurozone is picking up.

"The progress achieved over the past three years to stabilize and strengthen the euro area is real. Growth is returning. The way forward is well identified. And we will not rest until our monetary union is complete," he noted.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was negative. Eurostat released its producer price index for the Eurozone on Friday. Eurozone's producer price index declined 0.8% in August, missing expectations for a 0.6% drop, after a 0.2% decrease in July. July's figure was revised down from a 0.1% decline.

Intermediate goods prices fell 0.5% in August, capital goods prices were flat and both durable and non-durable consumer goods prices climbed 0.1%, while energy prices decreased 2.6%.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's producer price index dropped 2.6% in August, missing expectations for a 2.4% decrease, after a 2.1% fall in July.

Eurozone's producer prices excluding energy fell 0.5% year-on-year in August. Energy prices dropped at an annual rate of 8.2%.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. increased to 59.9 in September from 57.3 in August, exceeding expectations for a rise to 57.5.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the construction sector.

The increase was partly driven by a strong rise in in residential building.

"Construction firms enjoyed a strong finish to the third quarter of 2015, as a sustained rebound in new development projects continued to have an impact on the ground. Moreover, September data suggests that the UK construction sector is still experiencing its most intense cycle of job hiring for at least 15 years, and consequently skill shortages remain a dominant concern across the industry," Senior Economist at Markit, Tim Moore, said.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,129.98 +57.51 +0.95 %

DAX 9,553.07 +43.82 +0.46 %

CAC 40 4,458.88 +32.34 +0.73 %