European stocks closed lower Monday, with shares of German auto makers and Dutch firm Gemalto NV among those pushing the market to its weakest finish in two weeks. The Stoxx Europe 600 SXXP, -0.24% was off 0.2% to end at 379.23, adding to its recent retreat and notching its lowest close since July 11. The index on Friday slid 1%, contributing to last week's loss of 1.9%.

The Dow and the S&P 500 on Monday finished modestly lower, as the market kicked off a busy week of earnings, but the Nasdaq logged another record as technology stocks shook off the broader market's weakness. The Nasdaq Composite Index COMP, +0.36% closed 0.4% at 6,410, boosted by a continued rally in the highflying technology sector XLK, +0.24% However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, -0.31% ended the session 0.3% lower at 21,513, while the S&P 500 index SPX, -0.11% wrappeed up Monday trade off 0.1% at 2,469, as gains in the financials sector XLF, +0.44% and tech were more than offset by sharp slumps in telecommunications, utilities, and consumer-discretionary stocks.

Asian stock markets were mostly stronger in early trading Tuesday, with Australia leading the way higher after badly lagging regional peers a day earlier. Helping sentiment has been stabilization for now in the U.S. dollar. Its recent weakness had been pressuring down stocks in Australia and Japan in particular. The WSJ Dollar Index BUXX, -0.08% finished flat on Monday and was up 0.1% early Tuesday.