European equities rise as eurozone exits deflation

European stocks posted gains Thursday as the euro hit a nine-week dollar high on weak US data that dimmed the chances of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike in early summer. London's benchmark FTSE 100 index closed 0.21 percent higher at 6,960.63 points. Friday is a business day in London, with markets shut only on Monday for a bank holiday. "Of course, the slowing pace of growth in the world’s largest economy matters for the stock market too because it is one of the main export des