European stocks retreated on Friday at the closing bell as weaker economic sentiment weighed on investor mood. Eurozone consumer confidence declined in March, slipping to negative 14.5, according to preliminary data. The figures underscore persistent concerns over the bloc's economic outlook, further thrown into sharp relief after the German Bundesrat adopted debt brake reform and a €500 billion spending package.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.53%, as JD Sports Fashion went down 5.09%. The DAX dropped 0.64%, dragged down by Zelando losing 3.4%, while the CAC 40 lost 0.56%. The worst performer was Teleperformance, decreasing by 2.35%. The Eurostoxx 50 declined 0.58%, as Nordea Bank nosedived 7.19%.

The euro traded 0.29% lower against the dollar to sell for 1.08217, while the British pound lost 0.40% to go for 1.29145 at 5:40 pm CET.