European stocks close: stocks closed mixed as market participants continued to closely monitor oil prices

Stock indices closed mixed as market participants continued to closely monitor oil prices. Oil prices plunged as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reported the highest oil output in November since 2009. OPEC's oil output in November rose by 230,100 barrels per day (bpd) to 31.695 million bpd from October, mainly due to higher oil output from Iraq.

Stock markets were supported by a weaker euro.

Meanwhile, the economic data from France was mixed. The French statistical office Insee its industrial production figures on Thursday. Industrial production in France rose 0.5% in October, beating expectations for a 0.1% decline, after a flat reading in September. September's figure was revised down from a 0.1% increase.

Manufacturing output fell 0.5% in October, while construction output climbed 0.5%.

Output in mining and quarrying, energy, water supply and waste management increased 5.1% in October.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production climbed 2.3% in October, after a 0.7% gain in September.

The French consumer price inflation declined 0.2% in November, missing expectations for a flat reading, after a 0.1% rise in October.

On a yearly basis, the consumer price index was flat in November, after a 0.1% increase in October.

The Bank of England (BoE) released its interest rate decision on Thursday. The BoE kept its interest rates unchanged at 0.5% and its asset purchase program unchanged at £375 billion. This decision was widely expected.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) released its December meeting minutes today. 8 members voted to keep the central bank's monetary policy unchanged. Ian McCafferty voted to hike interest rate.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,088.05 -38.63 -0.63 %

DAX 10,598.93 +6.44 +0.06 %

CAC 40 4,635.06 -2.39 -0.05 %