Europe Markets Europe Markets Overview

European shares closed mixed on Monday afternoon, after briefly touching fresh five-year highs earlier during the session.

European stocks closed higher after volatile trade on Friday, boosted by a rally in the auto sector. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 closed provisionally at a new 5-year closing peak.

European shares closed flat-to-lower on Thursday, pressured by downbeat data from the U.S. that included a jump in jobless claims and a drop in housing starts.

European shares were higher in early afternoon trade on Wednesday despite preliminary growth data from the euro zone missing estimates.

European shares pared losses to close at five-year highs on Tuesday, after influential hedge fund manager David Tepper told CNBC he is "definitely bullish" on stocks.

European shares closed lower on Monday, having pared losses after retail sales data in the U.S. came in better-than-expected. However, shares remained near the five-year highs hit in last week's global rally.

European shares closed at 5-year highs on Friday, as stocks continued in risk-on mode. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index unofficially closed 0.3 percent higher at 2,781.58 points, its highest level since mid-2008.

European shares closed mixed on Thursday after better-than-expected data from the U.S.

The risk-on rally continued on Wednesday, with European shares extending gains to close higher, boosted by upbeat Chinese export data.

European shares closed higher following some better-than-expected earnings reports, and upbeat manufacturing data from German.

European stocks close off their lows Monday, amid hopes for further central bank stimulus and as investors largely shrugged off a tepid euro zone economic report.

European shares closed higher on Friday after non-farm payrolls data from the U.S. came in better-than-expected.

European shares rebounded to a higher close on Thursday, paring losses from when ECB President Mario Draghi confirmed the central bank would not deliver any extra stimulus. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 Index closed around 0.5 percent higher.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index closed off its session highs on Wednesday, after worse-than-expected employment data was released in the U.S. Trade was thin, with most European bourses shut for the May Day public holiday.

European shares pared gains on Tuesday to close lower, after a raft of euro zone economic data softened earlier rises from positive earnings reports.

European shares closed higher on Monday after Italy's new Prime Minister announced his reform plans in his maiden speech to parliament.

European shares closed lower after U.S. growth figures missed expectations pointing to a potential slowdown in the world's biggest economy.

Risk appetite returned to European markets on Thursday, as investor confidence got a further boost from the news that the U.K. avoided a triple-dip recession in the first quarter.

European shares closed higher on Wednesday, after weak German business sentiment data spurred hopes the ECB might move to cut interest rates when it meets next week.