European stocks are heading for their best weekly performance since November

European stocks rose on Friday, on track for their best weekly performance since November, with natural gas futures falling and positive economic data as investors await inflation data in the eurozone.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.1% by 0815 GMT, bringing its weekly gain to 3.4% so far.

All eyes are on inflation data in the Eurozone for December, due at 1000 GMT, as economists expect prices to fall year-on-year for the second month in a row.

Shell rose 0.4 percent after the company said profits from its natural gas business likely rose significantly in the fourth quarter of last year.

And the energy sector index gained 0.6 percent as crude prices rose thanks to hopes for a recovery in demand from China and data showing a decrease in fuel stocks in the United States after a winter storm that swept the country late last year.