BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The German market was trading higher on Friday, after the country's business confidence improved for the sixth consecutive month in April. Sentiment was also influenced by optimism about Greece, which is hoped to reach a deal with its European lenders.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that she had a 'constructive' meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
On a light day for economic news, German business confidence improved for the sixth consecutive month in April, reports said citing survey results from Munich-based Ifo Institute. The business confidence index rose more-than-expected to 108.6 in April from 107.9 in March. It was forecast to rise to 108.4.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks was adding 0.78 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, was rising 0.60 percent.
The DAX index advanced 0.5 percent.
Deutsche Telekom climbed 1.7 percent and adidas added 1.6 percent.
Commerzbank gained 1.3 percent while Deutsche Bank was moderately higher.
Meanwhile, RWE plunged close to 5 percent. Its chief executive Peter Terium said Thursday that the latest plans by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy to introduce a so-called 'climate contribution' for conventional power stations affects the company's very existence.
The contribution would mean immediate closure for the majority of RWE's lignite mines and lignite-fired power stations.
Other markets in the region were also in the green.
The Asian stocks closed mixed, with the Australian, Hong Kong, Malaysian, New Zealand and Taiwanese markets advancing, while the rest of the major markets in the region retreated.
In the U.S., futures point to a higher open on wall Street. In the previous session, the major averages gave back ground going into the close but managed to remain in positive territory. While the Nasdaq rose 0.4 percent, the Dow inched up 0.1 percent and the S&P 500 edged up 0.2 percent.
Crude for June delivery fell $0.19 to $57.55 per barrel, while gold slipped $3.9 to $1190.4 a troy ounce.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX