The main European stock indices are down a third straight session. The reason for today's pessimism was not satisfactory corporate reporting companies such as Carlsberg and TNT Express NV, as well as reducing the euro area balance of payments surplus for the end of December to the level of 13.900 billion euros, compared with 15.900 billion in the previous month.

FTSE 100 6,323.66 -4.60 -0.07%

DAX 7,604.79 +11.28 +0.15%

CAC 3,651.56 -9.26 -0.25%

Shares of the Danish brewing company Carlsberg fell 5% on the information that the operating profit of the company in the last quarter rose to 2.15 billion Danish crowns ($ 385 million) from 1.83 billion kronor a year earlier, with the market forecast called for earnings of 2 28 billion crowns.

The market value of the Dutch logistics company TNT has decreased by 1.2%. The company's revenue in the 4th quarter was 1.86 billion euros, while the market is predicted 1.89 billion euros and operating profit fell to 47 million euros from 58 million euros in the same period a year earlier. In addition, TNT said it expects difficulties in 2013 and falling profitability in Europe.

Course papers Spanish bank Banco Santander SA fell 1.2%.

Share prices of mining Rio Tinto Plc lost 1.2% on the London Stock Exchange.