European stock markets rose slightly at the open Friday, as strong economic data out of China fuelled optimism over the global economic recovery.
London's benchmark FTSE 100 index climbed 0.3% to 7 006.38 points.
In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index grew 0.1% to 15 276.56 points and the Paris CAC 40 won 0.1% to 6 242.55.
China's economy expanded at a record pace in the first quarter as the country continued its rapid recovery from last year's pandemic-fuelled slump, official data showed Friday.
It followed figures on Thursday showing US jobless claims came in at their lowest level since the pandemic began, while retail sales soared in March as Americans began spending stimulus handouts.