European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher on a rise in shares in the finance sector

Stock indices traded higher on a rise in shares in the finance sector.

Market participants also eyed the economic data from the Eurozone. The ZEW Center for European Economic Research released its economic sentiment index for Germany and the Eurozone on Tuesday. Germany's ZEW economic sentiment index decreased to 6.4 in May from 11.2 in April, missing expectations for a rise to 12.0.

"The strong growth of the German economy in the first quarter of 2016 appears to have surprised the financial market experts. However, they seem not to expect the economic situation to improve at the same pace going forward," ZEW president, Professor Achim Wambach, said.

Eurozone's ZEW economic sentiment index declined to 21.5 in May from 21.5 in April.

Destatis released its final gross domestic product (GDP) growth for Germany on Tuesday. Germany's final GDP gained by 0.7% in the first quarter, in line with the preliminary reading, after a 0.3% increase in the fourth quarter.

The increase was driven by domestic final consumption expenditure. Household consumption expenditure rose by 0.4% in the first quarter, while government spending increased by 0.5%.

Exports of goods and services were up 1.0% in first quarter, while imports climbed 1.4%.

On a yearly basis, Germany's final GDP fell to 1.3% in the first quarter from 2.1% in the fourth quarter, in line with the preliminary reading.

The Office for National Statistics released public sector net borrowing for the U.K. on Tuesday. The UK public sector net borrowing requirement (PSNB) was £6.58 billion in April, exceeding forecasts of £6.2 billion, up from £6.11 billion in March. March's figure was revised up from £4.16 billion.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,180.66 +44.23 +0.72 %

DAX 9,923.82 +81.53 +0.83 %

CAC 40 4,384.95 +59.85 +1.38 %