European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher on speculation that the Fed will delay its interest rate hike after the release of the weak U.S. labour market data

Stock indices traded higher on speculation that the Fed will delay its interest rate hike after the release of the weak U.S. labour market data. According to the U.S. Labor Department, the U.S. economy added 142,000 jobs in September, missing expectations for a rise of 203,000 jobs, after a gain of 136,000 jobs in August. The U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1% in September, in line with expectations. It was the lowest level since April 2008.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mixed. Eurostat released its retail sales data for the Eurozone on Monday. Retail sales in the Eurozone were flat in August, beating expectations for a 0.1% decline, after a 0.6% increase in June. July's figure was revised up from a 0.4% rise.

The increase was driven by higher gasoline sales, which rose 1.8% in August.

Food, drinks and tobacco sales were up 0.8% in August, while non-food sales decreased 0.3%.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone climbed 2.3% in August, exceeding forecasts of a 1.8% gain, after a 3.0% increase in July. July's figure was revised up from a 2.7% rise.

The annual rise was driven by non-food sales, gasoline sales, and food, drinks and tobacco sales.

Non-food sales gained 2.0% in August, gasoline sales increased 3.6%, while food, drinks and tobacco sales rose 2.5%.

Markit Economics released final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the Eurozone on Monday. Eurozone's final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) decreased to 53.7 in September from 54.4 in August, up from the preliminary reading of 54.0.

New orders rose at slower pace in September.

Eurozone's final composite output index declined to 53.6 in September from 54.3 in August, down from the preliminary reading of 53.9.

"The weakening of the pace of expansion in September raises the risk of growth fading further in the fourth quarter, which would in turn boost the likelihood of the ECB opening the QE taps further," Chief Economist at Markit Chris Williamson said.

Market research group Sentix released its investor confidence index for the Eurozone on Monday. The index dropped to 11.7 in October from 13.6 in September. It was the lowest level since February.

A reading above 0.0 indicates optimism, below indicates pessimism.

Markit Economics released final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for Germany on Monday. Germany's final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) decreased 54.1 in September from 54.9 in August, down from the preliminary reading of 54.3.

Markit Economics released final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for France on Monday. France's final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) increased to 51.9 in September from 50.6 in August, up from the preliminary reading of 51.2.

The increase was partly driven by a stronger rise in new business.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. fell to 53.3 in September from 55.6 in August, missing expectations for a rise to 56.0. It was the lowest level since April 2013.

The decline was partly driven by a slower growth in new business.

"Weakness is spreading from the struggling manufacturing sector, hitting transport and other industrial-related services in particular. There are also signs that consumers have become more cautious and are pulling back on their leisure spending, such as on restaurants and hotels," the Chief Economist at Markit Chris Williamson said.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,249.88 +119.90 +1.96 %

DAX 9,755.11 +202.04 +2.11 %

CAC 40 4,586.98 +128.10 +2.87 %