European stocks rise amid strong results

European stocks rose on Friday, echoing overnight gains on Wall Street, supported by strong corporate earnings as investors awaited first-quarter GDP growth estimates in the euro zone to assess the strength of the region’s economies.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 rose 0.3 percent, but was on track for its first weekly decline in six weeks. Construction and raw materials stocks were the main gainers on the index, rising 1 percent.

Utilities shares fell 0.6 percent.

Mercedes-Benz Group rose 0.9 percent after the luxury automaker raised its forecast for adjusted annual return for sales of its vans division, and said it expected to reach the upper end of its forecast for revenues in the auto division.

All eyes are on Eurozone GDP data due at 0900 GMT which is expected to show growth in the region’s economies slowing in the first quarter to 1.4% from 1.8% a year earlier.