European stocks closed slightly higher on Friday as strength in the heavyweight financial sector offset mixed movements elsewhere, while markets continued to assess major monetary policy decision over the week. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 rose 0.2% to 5,467 and the pan-European STOXX 600 was flat at 555. The Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged as expected but surprised markets by announcing plans to begin unwinding its massive exchange-traded fund holdings. Traders also monitored the call between US and Chinese Presidents Trump and Xi, with both leaders signaling progress on multiple subjects ahead of their face-to-face meeting next month. Santander, BNP Paribas, and Nordea rose nearly 2% to set the pace for banks. In the meantime, Airbus and Safran advanced 1.4% and 2.3% In turn, plunging freight rates drove Moeller Maersk to plunge 6%. The STOXX 50 added 1.4% on the week, while the STOXX 600 was flat.