Europe Markets Europe Markets Overview

European stocks closed slightly lower in a shortened day of trading on Monday. The FTSE 100 index was the main exception closing higher by 0.24 percent.

European shares closed lower on Friday as U.S. politicians continued to wrangle over averting the "fiscal cliff" — a series of tax increases and spending cuts that are set to kick in at the start of next year and could threaten the U.S. economy.

European shares stuttered on Thursday as indexes approached overbought levels and budget talks in the United States stalled.

European shares closed higher on Wednesday after business confidence data was released in Germany showing an increase.

European shares ended higher on Tuesday, as investors bet that U.S. Democrats and Republicans will reach a deal to avoid a "fiscal cliff" of year-end austerity measures.

European shares fell on Monday, hit by slumps in Dutch telecoms group KPN and temporary power company Aggreko as investors cashed in some equity holdings.

European shares closed slightly lower on Friday as investors locked in profits ahead of the weekend and once again focused on the ongoing discussions surrounding the "fiscal cliff" in the U.S.

European shares closed higher on Wednesday ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting in the U.S., with investors expecting an announcement on a new treasury purchase plan.

European shares closed higher on Tuesday after a survey showed a sharp improvement in German investor and analyst sentiment.

European shares closed higher on Monday, but Italian shares closed firmly in the red after political uncertainty surfaced, with Prime Minister Mario Monti announcing he will step down before his term ends.

European shares ended flat Friday following a pair of mixed economic reports from the U.S., while Germany's lowered growth outlook put a damper on gains.

European shares finished in positive territory Thursday as the ECB and the Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged.

European shares finished slightly higher Wednesday following positive comments from China's new leaders.

European shares ended mixed Tuesday amid "fiscal cliff" discussions in the U.S., but losses were limited as EU finance ministers met in Brussels to discuss details of a possible banking union.

European shares closed off their best levels Monday after a report showed that U.S. manufacturing unexpectedly contracted in November.