12:11 PM EST, 02/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed sharply higher in Thursday trading, with the exception of the London exchange, as The Stoxx Europe 600 rose 1.06%, Germany's DAX surged 2.09%, France's CAC 40 climbed 1.52%, the Swiss Market Index advanced 1.85%, while the FTSE 100 in London closed 0.49% lower.

In Germany, annual inflation in January was 2.3% compared with 2.6% the previous month, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Meanwhile, the monthly inflation rate declined 0.2% from December.

In the UK, the gross domestic product increased an estimated 0.1% in Q4 from the previous quarter, and 1.4%, compared with a year earlier, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Seasonally adjusted industrial production in December decreased 1.1% in the euro area and 0.8% the EU compared with November, according to preliminary estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. Annual average industrial production for 2024 declined 2.0% in the euro area and 1.7% in the EU compared with 2023.

And in corporate news, shares of British American Tobacco (BTI) fell 8.8% in London after it said Thursday that preliminary data showed adjusted earnings fell to 362.5 pence ($4.51) from 375.6 pence during the year ended Dec. 31.

Shares of Unilever (UL) fell 5.6% in London after it said Thursday that its plans to separate its ice cream division are on track to be completed by the end of 2025. The company said it is making progress on setting up legal entities, implementing a standalone operating model, as well as other financial preparations.

Apple's (AAPL) App Tracking Transparency Framework may give the company an advantage over third-party app developers, Germany's Federal Cartel Office said Thursday. Apple did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

Meta Platforms (META) said Thursday it is launching the Facebook Marketplace Partner Program to open its Facebook Marketplace platform to eligible online classified ad service providers. The company said the move is in response to the European Commission's November ruling that the company was in violation of EU antitrust rules.