European stocks were called higher, following data out of China in line with expectations.

European stocks were called higher on Tuesday, following gains seen in Asia after a raft of data out of China came out in line with analyst expectations.

China's gross domestic product data came mostly in line with market expectations though factory output and retail sales dipped slightly below expectations.Asian equities bounced back in afternoon trade after having a mixed, but volatile reaction to a slew of data released by Beijing. Major markets saw knee-jerk reactions, round-tripping by rising immediately after the release of data before slipping into negative territory and then recovering. (Nikkei 225: -0.61 %; Hang Seng: +0.71 %; S&P/ASX 200: +0.50 %; Shanghai Composite: +1.64 %; Topix: -0.59 %)

Japanese economics minister Akira Amari said the sell-off in Japanese equities recently was due to external factors such as worries over emerging markets and declines in oil prices, and that Japan's economic fundamentals remained solid, according to Reuters.

In Europe, investors are also gearing up for ECB Governing Council meeting on Thursday this week, where analysts expect no major policy changes. Publications: 09:00-German CPI (MoM) (Dec), with forecast: -0.1%; 11:30-UK CPI (MoM) (Dec): 0.1%;  12:00-German ZEW Economic Sentiment (Jan): 8.2;  12:00-  EUROZONE CPI (MoM) (Dec): -0.1%;  12:00-  EUROZONE ZEW Economic Sentiment: 27.9.