Stock indices closed mixed on hopes for Greek bailout programme. The Greek government has said it will submit to extend a rescue loan agreement while it wants to renegotiate the terms of its existing bailout programme.

The U.K. unemployment rate fell to 5.7% in the October to December quarter from 5.8% in the three months to September. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged.

That was the lowest level since August 2008.

The claimant count decreased by 38,600 people in January, exceeding expectations for a drop of 25,200 people, after a decrease of 35,800 people in December. December's figure was revised from a decline of 29,700.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, climbed by 2.1%.

Average weekly earnings, including bonuses, rose by 1.7%.

Wage growth outpaced inflation for the first time since 2009. Inflation was 0.3% last month.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,898.08 -0.05 0.00%

DAX 10,961 +65.38 +0.60%

CAC 40 4,799.03 +45.04 +0.95%