European stocks closed flat, +0.4% to 386.85 on Friday as investors reacted to new Chinese trade data and euro zone industrial production figures.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was in positive territory at the closing bell, chemicals stocks leading the gains with a 1.2% climb while autos recovered from an early fall to trade 0.8% higher. Health care was the worst performing sector, shedding 1.3%.
An official report Friday revealed that China’s exports fell less than expected in June, with dollar-denominated exports falling 1.3% from the same period a year ago. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 2% decline on the back of the ongoing trade war with the U.S.
Source : CNBC