PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The French market climbed on Thursday, after oil prices rebounded and Eurozone retail sales grew more-than-expected in November. Crude for February delivery gained $0.10 to $48.75 per barrel, while gold slipped $2.7 to $1208.0 a troy ounce.
Meanwhile, Eurozone economic confidence remained stable in December, the results of a survey by the European Commission revealed. The economic sentiment index came in at 100.7 in December, the same score as seen in October and November. It was expected to rise to 101.2.
Eurozone retail sales grew more-than-expected in November, at the same rate as in the previous month, preliminary data from Eurostat showed. Retail sales rose 0.6 percent from October, when they grew the same, revised from 0.4 percent. Economists had expected a modest gain of 0.2 percent.
German factory orders declined more-than-expected in November on a sharp contraction in domestic demand. Factory orders declined 2.4 percent month-on-month, reversing a revised 2.9 percent rise in October, Destatis said. Orders were expected to fall by 0.8 percent.
U.K. house prices increased more than expected in December, survey data from the Lloyds Banking Group unit Halifax showed. House prices increased at a faster pace of 0.9 percent in December after rising 0.4 percent in November. The monthly growth rate was expected to slow to 0.3 percent.
The Bank of England will announce its interest rate decision today. Economists expect the apex bank to retain interest rates unchanged at 0.50 percent and asset purchase target at 375 billion pounds.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks was gaining 1.15 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, was adding 1.25 percent.
The CAC 40 index gained 1.9 percent.
Schneider Electric climbed 3.4 percent and Pernod-Ricard added 3.2 percent. Societe Generale raised Schneider Electric to 'Buy' from 'Hold.'
Alcatel Lucent and Airbus were gaining 2.9 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.
Air France-KLM was moderately lower. The airline reported lower traffic and capacity for December.
Other markets in the region also gathered notably.
The Asian stocks saw a relief rally after Wall Street bounced back from five straight sessions of losses in the wake of a rebound in oil prices and strong economic data underscoring strength in the world's largest economy.
Wednesday, the Dow and the S&P 500 rose about 1.2 percent each, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 1.3 percent. The U.S. futures currently point to a higher open on Wall Street.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX