RTT News reported that European markets rose last week as mining stocks gained after a slew of economic data indicated that China's economy was firmly on the recovery track and shares of steelmakers rallied after Steel Dynamics boosted its earnings outlook.

Fresh economic data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics showed an improvement in August, with industrial production, retail sales and urban investment in fixed assets all improving, while consumer and producer prices declined at a slower annual rate. The country's industrial production was up by 12.3% YoY, topping forecasts for an 11.9% annual increase after the 10.8% gain in the previous month. August was the fourth consecutive month which witnessed an acceleration of annual growth.

According to a closely watched survey, US consumers' attitudes brightened in September. The University of Michigan Reuters consumer sentiment index rose to 70.2 for the mid September reading. This was up from a mark of 65.7 for August. The latest reading marks the first increase in the past 3 months. The result came in better than economists had expected.

The Organization for Economic Co operation & Development said that its composite leading indicator for July shows stronger signs of recovery in most of the OECD economies. The leading indicator for the OECD Area rose to 97.8 in July from 96.3 in June.