European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher on the Fed’s minutes

Stock indices traded higher on the Fed's minutes. The Fed released its October monetary policy meeting minutes on Wednesday. The minutes showed that an interest rate hike in December is possible.

The European Central Bank (ECB) Executive Board member Peter Praet said in a speech on Thursday that the uncertainty about the economy increased.

He noted that the economy in the Eurozone improved, adding that downside risks increased, while tail risks receded.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was positive. The European Central Bank (ECB) released its current account on Thursday. Eurozone's current account surplus rose to a seasonally adjusted €29.4 billion in September from €18.7 billion in August. August's figure was revised up from a surplus of €17.7 billion.

The Office for National Statistics released its retail sales data for the U.K. on Thursday. Retail sales in the U.K. fell 0.6% in October, missing expectations for a 0.5% decline, after a 1.7% rise in September. September's figure was revised down from a 1.9% increase.

The decline was driven by lower food stores, department stores and clothing sales.

Food sales declined 1.3% in October, non-food sales fell 0.3%, and clothing and footwear sales slid 1.8%, while household goods sales dropped 0.8%.

Sales of auto fuel climbed 1.7% in October.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. climbed 3.8% in October, missing forecasts of 4.2% increase, after a 6.2% rise in September. September's figure was revised down from a 6.5% gain.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,359.92 +80.95 +1.29 %

DAX 11,144.06 +184.11 +1.68 %

CAC 40 4,950.2 +43.48 +0.89 %