European markets opened higher on Friday as investors receive a fresh batch of economic data. The week also closes with the release of more earnings reports.
Before the opening, the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) published that the GDP rose by 0.1% in the year's first quarter. Meanwhile, the trade deficit decreased to £15.1 billion, and production output increased by 0.7% in March.
At 9:01 am CET, the French benchmark CAC 40 added 0.57%, while Kering improved by 1.34%. The FTSE 100 rose by 0.16%, as Rolls-Royce Holdings increased by 1.58%. One minute later, EURO STOXX 50 improved by 0.44%, and BBVA was leading the gains, rising by 1.02%. Finally, the German DAX rose 0.49% at 9:03 am CET, with Porsche being the best performer at the open, up 1.99%.
On the currency front, the euro and the British pound advanced by 0.13% and 0.14% against the dollar at 8:58 am CET, selling for $1.09291 and $1.25270.
