12:14 PM EDT, 04/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed higher in Friday trading as The Stoxx Europe 600 climbed 1.16%, the Swiss Market Index rose 0.74%, France's CAC increased 0.89%, the FTSE in London was up 0.75%, and Germany's DAX closed 1.39% higher.

The European Central Bank reported Friday in its monthly consumer expectations survey that the median rate of perceived inflation over the previous 12 months decreased for the sixth consecutive month to 5.0% in March from 5.5% in February. Median expectations for inflation over the next 12 months declined to 3.0% from 3.1% and are at their lowest level since December 2021.

Household real consumption per capita slightly decreased 0.1% in the euro area in Q4 of 2023, after remaining unchanged the previous quarter, according to Eurostat, while household real income per capita increased 0.6% in Q4 a 0.3% decrease in Q3. In the EU, household real consumption per capita remained flat in Q4 of 2023, after a 0.4% rise in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, EU household real income per capita increased 0.4% in Q4 after remaining flat in Q3.

In France, household confidence decreased slightly in April, according to the Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies' indicator, which declined to 90 from 91 in March. The score remains below its long-term average of 100 between January 1987 and December 2023.

In Spain, the annual rate of the Spanish Statistical Institute's retail trade index at constant prices was 0.6% in March on a seasonal and calendar adjusted basis, while retail trade employment increased 2.2% annually.

And in corporate news, UK mining company Anglo American said Friday that its board of directors unanimously rejected a 31.1 billion pound ($38.9 billion) all-share offer for the company by rival BHP Group (BHP). The company said the proposal "significantly undervalues Anglo American and its future prospects."

German engineering and steel production company thyssenkrupp said Friday that it has agreed to sell a 20% stake in its steel business to EP Corporate Group, an investment holding company owned by Czech billionaire businessman Daniel Kretinsky. Financial terms were not disclosed. The companies said they are also discussing the possibility of EPCG acquiring another 30% of thyssenkrup's steel business with the aim of forming a 50-50 joint venture.

Airplane maker Airbus said it is increasing production of its A350 plane due to demand and not because of troubles at Boeing (BA), CNBC reported, citing an interview with Airbus Chief Financial Officer Thomas Toepfer.

"I would say it's clearly a reflection of the very strong commercial momentum that we see for the A350," Toepfer told CNBC when asked if the company was benefiting from instability at Boeing.

Airbus said Thursday that it plans to increase its A350 production to 12 aircraft a month in 2028.

British biopharmaceutical company Biodexa Pharmaceuticals (BDRX) said Friday it has signed a deal with Emtora Biosciences for the exclusive, global rights for eRapa to treat familial adenomatous polyposis, an inherited condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract.

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