CNBC: Europe higher as GDP beats; DAX hits all-time high
European equities were higher on Friday with investor sentiment boosted by better-than-expected growth numbers out of the euro zone and the prospect of a cease-fire deal between Ukraine and Russia.
The pan-European Euro Stoxx 600 Index was higher with all major bourses posting modest gains. Fresh figures on Friday showed fourth-quarter euro zone GDP (gross domestic product) rose 0.3 percent compared to the last quarter, which managed to beat expectations.
Germany's number grew more than expected in the fourth quarter, expanding by 0.7 percent quarter-on-quarter, which bolstered hopes that the euro zone's largest economy is back on track.
The German DAX hit a new all-time high on Friday morning with the index edging closer to the 11,000 point mark.
Read MoreGerman economy beats, shrugging off Russia woes
Meanwhile, overnight gains in key commodity prices helped the basic resources sector to outperform the wider market. Stocks like Boliden and Rio Tinto were higher with analyst upgrades also helping them to log strong gains.
On the whole, global markets continued to advanced on Thursday's news of a cease-fire deal between Russia and Ukraine following months of violence between pro-Russian rebels and the Ukraine military.
Speaking on Russian TV, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the agreement would mean the removal of heavy weapons and a full cease-fire from midnight on February 15. With a previous cease-fire having failed, analysts question how long this deal will last, however. Fresh shelling has been heard in the rebel-held cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, according to a report by the BBC.
Greece in focus
Greek officials will meet representatives from the troika of the European Union (EU), European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund soon - most likely in Brussels on Friday - to prepare for Monday's key Eurogroup meeting on debt talks, an EU official said on Thursday, Reuters reported.
At Thursday's meeting of EU leaders, there was no talk of issues related to Greece's economic problems, the chairman of the talks the current European Council President Donald Tusk said on Thursday. Greek stocks were higher by 4 percent Friday with the prospect of a deal.
In other stocks news, companies with an exposure to Russia continued to perform well. Raiffeisen Bank was higher by 6.8 percent and Societe Generale was up 2 percent.
