In the European session, the German Benchmark Index traded above 18,300 levels.
On Thursday, European stocks followed a surge in global equities, buoyed by the latest Federal Reserve meeting and a wave of largely positive economic data. Investors also awaited a monetary policy decision from the Bank of England.
The Eurozone Purchasing Managers' Index (PMIs) were released today, revealing a further decline in the manufacturing index into contractionary territory. However, the services index saw a decent rise, propelling the composite PMI higher, just below the equilibrium zone of 50.
London's FTSE 100 advanced by 0.9%, while the Paris CAC 40 gained 0.1%. Frankfurt's DAX saw a rise of 0.5%, while the pan-European Stoxx 600 climbed by 0.6%.
