European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher in the absence of key drivers

Stock indices traded mixed in the absence of any major economic reports from Europe. Destatis released its final consumer price data for Germany on Tuesday. German final consumer price index were up 0.8% in March, in line with the preliminary estimate, after a 0.4% rise in February. On a yearly basis, German final consumer price index increased to 0.3% in March from 0.0% in February, in line with the preliminary estimate. Energy prices dropped 8.9% year-on-year in March, while food prices climbed 1.3%. Consumer prices excluding energy increased 1.4% year-on-year in March.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released the consumer price inflation data for the U.K. on Tuesday. The U.K. consumer price index rose to 0.5% year-on-year in March from 0.3% in February, exceeding expectations for a rise to 0.4%.

The increase was mainly driven by rises in air fares and clothing prices. Food prices declined.

On a monthly basis, U.K. consumer prices increased 0.4% in March, exceeding expectations for a 0.4% gain, after a 0.2% rise in February.

Consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol and tobacco prices climbed to 1.5% year-on-year in March from 1.2% in February, beating expectations for an increase to 1.3%.

The U.K. house price index increased at a seasonally adjusted rate of 0.4% in February, after a 0.9% rise in January.

On a yearly basis, the U.K. house price index increased at a seasonally adjusted rate of 7.6% in February, after a 7.9% in January.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,203.86 +3.74 +0.06 %

DAX 9,720.53 +37.54 +0.39 %

CAC 40 4,319.08 +6.45 +0.15 %