European stocks up thanks to higher mining shares

European stocks rose on Thursday as they head into the long Easter weekend, as mining and oil and gas stocks helped overcome fears of a slowdown in the US economy stemming from weak data.

According to Reuters, the Stoxx 600 index rose 0.3 percent. The basic resources index led the gains, up 1.1 percent, while telecom shares lost 0.7 percent.

Wall Street closed lower on Wednesday after data showed private sector employers hired much fewer workers than expected in March.

German industrial output rose 2.0 percent from the previous month, much more than expected in February, thanks in part to the auto industry.

Investors are awaiting a major jobs report in the United States, which will be issued on Friday, in search of more indications about global interest rates.

Credit Suisse shares rose 0.6 percent after Switzerland instructed the bank to cancel or reduce all bonus payments due to the top three levels of management.