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

Stock indices traded lower on the Chinese economic data. China's National Bureau of Statistics released its gross domestic product (GDP) data on Friday. The country's economy expanded 6.7% in the first quarter, in line with expectations, after a 6.8% rise in the fourth quarter of 2015. It was the slowest rise since 2009.

The National Bureau of Statistics said on Friday that China's industrial production increased 6.8% year-on-year in March, exceeding expectations for a 5.9% rise, down from a 5.4% gain in January and February. It was the biggest rise since June 2015.

On a monthly base, the country's industrial production was up 0.64% in March.

Fixed-asset investment in China climbed 10.7% year-on-year in the January - March period, beating forecasts for a 10.3% growth, after a 10.2% rise in the January - February period.

Retail sales in China increased 10.5% year-on-year in March, exceeding expectations for a 10.4% gain, after a 10.2% rise in January and February.

Market participants also eyed the economic data from the Eurozone. Eurostat released its trade data for the Eurozone on Friday. Eurozone's unadjusted trade surplus climbed to €19.0 billion in February from €6.2 billion in January.

Exports rose at an unadjusted annual rate of 1.0% in February, while imports climbed 2.0%.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its construction output data for the U.K. on Friday. Construction output in the U.K. declined 0.3% in February, after a 0.4% fall in January.

Repair and maintenance activity fell 0.5% in February, while new work declined 0.2%.

On a yearly basis, construction output increased 0.3% in February, after a 0.9% drop in January.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,356.92 -8.18 -0.13 %

DAX 10,046.11 -47.54 -0.47 %

CAC 40 4,493.29 -18.22 -0.40 %