Other data showed German business morale improved more than expected in August.

Data showed German exports rose in July, however, remained far below pre-crisis levels.

European stocks tumbled as new figures showed German investor confidence unexpectedly dropped this month.

Data on Wednesday showed German import prices rising at their fastest rate since 1981.

Last week's ZEW survey also showed German analyst and investor morale picked up in September.

Core European bonds fell and the euro weakened even as data showed German inflation accelerated in November.

European stocks declined for a third day overall, as data showed German business sentiment fell more than expected.

Overnight, data showed German exports and imports in April posted their biggest declines since records began in 1990.

A study by Mercer Investment Consulting showed German, Dutch and British schemes all increased allocations to non-traditional asset classes.

German Jobless A separate report today showed German unemployment unexpectedly rose for the first time in six months in April.

European stocks rose for a second day as a report showed German investor confidence advanced for the first time this year.

Bernanke warned on Wednesday that Europe's woes remained a threat to the US, and Thursday's figures showed German manufacturing had nosedived.

European shares rose on Friday after data showed German business morale surged at its fastest pace in over two years in February.

The markets were also depressed by the latest German Ifo index, which showed German business confidence at its lowest level since July 1999.

Economic numbers also did not help, as figures showed German exports fell on the month in July after two months of strong gains.

The index briefly recovered losses on Friday after data showed German business sentiment rose unexpectedly in September, but overall market sentiment stayed bearish.