European stock markets settled higher on Thursday, as investors shrugged off disappointing economic data out of Germany and dovish comments from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank.

UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 gained 38.47 points or 0.6 percent to close at 6,374.82. Germany's benchmark index DAX went up 22.67 points or 0.23 percent to end at 9,993.07. French benchmark index CAC 40 rose 8.57 points or 0.18 percent to end at 4,675.91.

On the other hand, Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 lost 1.44 points or 0.04 percent to settle at 3,224.96.