European stocks close: stocks closed higher on a rise in oil prices and on the positive trade data from Germany

Stock indices closed higher on a rise in oil prices and on the positive trade data from Germany. Destatis released its trade data for Germany on Friday. Germany's trade surplus increased to a seasonally adjusted €19.7 billion in February from 18.7 in January.

Exports climbed 1.3% in February, while imports were up 0.4%.

On a yearly basis, German exports increased 4.1% in February, while imports rose by 4.0%.

Germany's current account surplus was €20.0 billion in February, up from €14.3 billion in January. January's figure was revised up from a surplus of €13.2 billion.

Oil prices rose on hopes for a deal on the freeze of the oil production.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its manufacturing and industrial production figures for the U.K. on Friday. Industrial production in the U.K. fell 0.3% in February, missing forecasts of a 0.1% increase, after a 0.2% rise in January.

The decrease was mainly driven by a decline in the manufacturing output.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in the U.K. decreased 0.5% in February, missing expectations for a flat reading, after a 0.1% increase in January. It was the largest decline since August 2013.

The decline was driven by a drop in the manufacture of machinery & equipment, which slid 10.6% year-on-year in February.

Manufacturing production in the U.K. dropped 1.1% in February, missing expectations for a 0.2% fall, after a 0.5% gain in January.

The decline was driven by a fall in in the manufacture of transport equipment, which decreased 2.9% in February.

Manufacturing output was mainly driven by a rise in other manufacturing and repair, which climbed by 4.8% in January.

On a yearly basis, manufacturing production in the U.K. decreased 1.8% in February, missing forecast of a 0.7% fall, after a 0.3% drop in January. It was the largest decrease since July 2013.

According to another report from the ONS, the U.K. trade deficit in goods narrowed to £11.96 billion in February from £12.16 billion in January. January's figure was revised down from a deficit of £10.29 billion. The decline in deficit was driven by a rise in exports.

The total trade deficit, including services, narrowed to £4.84 billion in February from £5.23 billion in January. January's figure was revised down from a deficit of £3.46 billion.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,204.41 +67.52 +1.10 %

DAX 9,622.26 +91.64 +0.96 %

CAC 40 4,303.12 +57.21 +1.35 %