European stocks closed lower on Thursday following another choppy trading session, as global markets struggled to recover from recent volatility.
European markets
The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally ended the session down 0.5%, having given back earlier gains of more than 0.8%.
All major bourses and the majority of stocks finished the day in the red, with utility stocks leading the losses, down 1.9%.
Technology and autos stocks were the only sectors in the green, up 1.3% and 1.1%, respectively. Travel and leisure stocks closed just above the flat-line.
The choppy trade in Europe came after regional markets closed lower on Wednesday as the positive trend seen in global stocks in recent days faded, particularly after euro zone PMI data fell to a 20-month low, cementing fears of a recession across the 19-member currency bloc.
U.S. stocks seesawed Thursday, as traders weighed sharp swings in stocks and rates to start the month, while shares in the Asia-Pacific were mixed overnight.