European Markets Finished With Mixed Results

(RTTNews) - The European markets ended Thursday's session with mixed results. Mining and energy stocks were among the best performing stocks, as commodity prices recovered a bit of ground. Economic data, which was sparse earlier this week, was abundant today. Eurozone industrial production declined unexpectedly in January. Data from the U.S. was mixed, with an unexpected drop in retail sales, but a larger than expected decrease in weekly jobless claims.

French President Francois Hollande reportedly said on Thursday that the euro was at the right level against the dollar. A weaker euro will be beneficial to businesses, Hollande said during a company visit.

The euro fell to its lowest level in more than 12 years against the dollar on Wednesday, but has recovered some ground in today's trading session.

The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks decreased by 0.23 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, lost 0.01 percent.

The DAX of Germany dropped by 0.06 percent and the CAC 40 of France fell by 0.21 percent. The FTSE of the U.K. gained 0.59 percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished higher by 0.15 percent.

In Frankfurt, Deutsche Lufthansa declined by 2.98 percent, after its full year profit decreased from a year ago.

Hugo Boss fell by 1.68 percent. The clothing maker reported lower fourth-quarter profit.

K+S, which reported fourth-quarter results, gained 7.74 percent.

In Paris, Gemalto advanced by 3.13 percent. U.S. student loan servicer MOHELA has selected Gemalto's IDPrime .Net converged badge as their strong authentication solution.

Technip climbed by 1.07 percent, but Total dipped by 0.05 percent.

In London, Home Retail plunged by 11 percent. The UK-based home and general merchandise retailer reported weak sales at its Argos and Homebase business units in the final eight weeks of the full year.

Serco Group sank by 11 percent, after it reduced its full year dividend.

ITV climbed by 0.73 percent, after it agreed to acquire Talpa Media BV.

Wm Morrison Supermarkets rose by 0.53 percent, despite a drop in its 2015 profit and a dividend cut.

SABMiller increased by 1.72 percent. Morgan Stanley resumed coverage on the stock with an "Overweight" rating.

Eurozone industrial output declined unexpectedly in January as the impetus from weaker euro and oil prices were insufficient to maintain the growth in production. Industrial production fell 0.1 percent in January from December, which was the first decline in five months, data from Eurostat revealed Thursday. Economists had forecast output to grow 0.2 percent after rising revised 0.3 percent in December.

Germany's consumer prices recovered as estimated earlier in February, final data from Destatis showed Thursday. The consumer price index grew 0.1 percent in February from last year, confirming the flash estimate. This was in contrast to the 0.4 percent decrease in the previous month.

French consumer prices declined for the second straight month in February, the statistical office Insee showed Thursday. Consumer prices dropped 0.3 percent on a yearly basis in February, marking the second consecutive fall. Economists had forecast prices to fall again 0.4 percent as registered in January.

The U.K. visible trade deficit narrowed largely due to a fall in oil imports in January, data published by the Office for National Statistics showed Thursday. The visible trade deficit narrowed to GBP 8.4 billion in January from GBP 9.9 billion in December. The shortfall was forecast to decline to GBP 9.6 billion.

After reporting a notable increase in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits over the two previous weeks, the Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing that initial jobless claims pulled back by more than anticipated the week ended March 7th.

The report said initial jobless claims dropped to 289,000, a decrease of 36,000 from the previous week's revised level of 325,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to pull back to 309,000 from the 320,000 originally reported for the previous week.

Retail sales in the U.S. unexpectedly fell for the third straight month in February, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Thursday, with the decrease partly reflecting a substantial drop in auto sales. The Commerce Department said retail sales slid by 0.6 percent in February following a 0.8 percent decrease in January. The drop surprised economists, who had expected sales to rise by 0.3 percent.

Import prices in the U.S. rebounded by slightly more than anticipated in the month of February, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday, although the report also showed a modest drop in export prices.

The Labor Department said import prices rose by 0.4 percent in February after plunging by a revised 3.1 percent in January. Economists had expected prices to edge up by 0.2 percent compared to the 2.8 percent drop originally reported for the previous month.

Meanwhile, the Labor Department said export prices edged down by 0.1 percent in February following a 1.9 percent decrease in January. The modest drop in export prices matched economist estimates.

With a drop in manufacturing inventories offsetting an increase in wholesale inventories, the Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing that U.S. business inventories were nearly flat in the month of January. The Commerce Department said business inventories came in nearly unchanged for the second consecutive month in January. Economists had expected inventories to edge up by 0.1 percent.