Stock indices traded lower, companies' earnings results and Greece stocks weighed on markets. Siemens AG shares declined 3.1% after the company reported a decrease in first-quarter profit.

Royal Philips NV shares 6.0% after the company reported a 67% drop in annual net profit.

Greek stocks declined as investors remained cautious amid concerns over Greece's future policy. Syriza party won the country's parliament elections on Sunday. The party has pledged to renegotiate the terms of the country's €240 billion euro financial bailout and to reverse many of the austerity measures.

The U.K. gross domestic product (GDP) climbed 0.5% in the fourth quarter, missing expectations for a 0.6% gain, after a 0.7% rise in the third quarter.

On a yearly basis, the U.K. GDP increased 2.7% in the fourth quarter, missing forecasts of a 2.8 rise, after a 2.6% gain in the third quarter.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,811.61 -40.79 -0.60%

DAX 10,628.58 -169.75 -1.57%

CAC 40 4,624.21 -50.92 -1.09%