Stock indices closed mixed on the mixed corporate earnings reports and economic data from the Eurozone. Eurostat released its retail sales data for the Eurozone on Thursday. Retail sales in the Eurozone fell 0.1% in September, missing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a flat reading in July.

The decline was driven by lower food, drinks and tobacco sales, which slid 0.6% in September.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone climbed 2.9% in September, missing forecasts of a 3.0% gain, after a 2.2% increase in August. August's figure was revised down from a 2.3% rise.

Destatis released its factory orders data for Germany on Thursday. German seasonal adjusted factory orders dropped 1.7% in September, missing expectations for a 1.0% decrease, after a 1.8% fall in August.

The decline was driven by a drop in foreign and domestic orders. Foreign orders decreased by 2.4% in September, while domestic orders fell by 0.6%.

The European Commission released it economic growth forecast for the Eurozone on Thursday. Eurozone's economic growth for 2015 was upgraded to 1.6%, up from a previous estimate of 1.5%. Eurozone's economic growth for 2016 was cut to 1.8% from a previous estimate of 1.9%.

The European Central Bank's quantitative easing supports the economic growth in the Eurozone, the European Commission noted.

"The impact of the positive factors is fading, while new challenges are appearing, such as the slowdown in emerging market economies and global trade," it added.

The Bank of England's (BoE) kept its interest rates unchanged at 0.5% and its asset purchase program unchanged at £375 billion. This decision was widely expected.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) released its November meeting minutes today. 8 members voted to keep the central bank's monetary policy unchanged. Ian McCafferty voted to hike interest rate.

The central bank lowered its growth forecasts to 2.7% this year, down from the previous forecast of 2.8%, and 2.5% next year, down from the previous forecast of 2.6%.

Halifax released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. House prices in the U.K. increased 1.1% in October, exceeding expectations for a 0.6% gain, after a 0.9% rise in September.

On a yearly basis, house prices climbed 9.7% in the three months to October, exceeding expectations for a 9.5% gain, after a 8.6% increase in the three months to September.

"Improving economic conditions and household finances, together with sustained low mortgage rates, have boosted housing demand during 2015. Strengthening demand is filtering through in to higher sales levels although the ongoing shortage of supply is acting as a significant constraint on activity," Halifax's housing economist Martin Ellis said.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,364.9 -47.98 -0.75 %

DAX 10,887.74 +42.50 +0.39 %

CAC 40 4,980.04 +31.75 +0.64 %

Major U.S. stock-indexes lower on Thursday after a raft of weak earnings reports, while the healthcare sector sank after the U.S. launched a probe into drug prices.

Investors are awaiting Friday's crucial monthly nonfarm payrolls data to gauge if the Federal Reserve will lift rates next month, a likelihood Fed Chair Janet Yellen alluded to on Wednesday.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (19 of 30). Top looser - Chevron Corporation (CVX, -1.77%). Top gainer - Visa Inc. (V, +1.14%).

All S&P index sectors in negative area. Top looser Basic Materials (-1.1%).

At the moment:

Dow 17749.00 -38.00 -0.21%

S&P 500 2089.75 -5.00 -0.24%

Nasdaq 100 4686.25 -23.25 -0.49%

Oil 45.80 -0.52 -1.12%

Gold 1104.80 -1.40 -0.13%

U.S. 10yr 2.25 +0.02

Polish equity market closed lower on Thursday. The broad market measure, the WIG Index, fell by 0.67%. Sector-wise, materials (-2.55%) fared the worst, while chemicals (+0.69%) outperformed.

The large-cap stocks' measure, the WIG30 Index, lost 0.99%. In the index basket, LPP (WSE: LPP) fared the worst, plunging by 4.49%. Other major laggards were KGHM (WSE: KGH), PGE (WSE: PGE) and EUROCASH (WSE: EUR), tumbling by 3.01%-3.27%. On the other side of the ledger, BOGDANKA (WSE: LWB) led a handful of gainers with a 3.79% advance. It was followed by PKP CARGO (WSE: PKP), ING BSK (WSE: ING) and GTC (WSE: GTC), adding 2.72%, 1.31% and 1.06% respectively.

European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Jan Smets says in an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt Thursday that the ECB could use other tools to combat downward risks to growth and inflation, adding that downward risks increased.

"Yes, inflation is too low. Even if it's related mainly to falling oil prices, there is a danger it will have a negative impact on inflation expectations - and they could lose their anchor," he said.

"If necessary, we could, for example, adjust the range, make-up and term of bond purchases," Smets pointed out.

The Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney signalled at a press conference on Thursday that the interest rates in the U.K. may stay longer at low levels due to the slowdown in the Chinese economy.

"Monetary policy must continue to balance two fundamental forces -- domestic strength and foreign weakness. The outlook for global growth has weakened since August. Many emerging-market economies have slowed markedly this year, and the committee has downgraded its assessment of their medium-term growth prospects," he said.

"We are in a situation where we have resilient domestic demand and, even in the face of global weakness, we still see the need for gradual interest rate rises to bring inflation back to target," Carney added.

The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi said in Milan on Thursday that the central bank will decide in December if to expand the asset-buying programme or not.

"We need to examine whether, with a weakening of the global economy, it (the programme) is also effective in countering headwinds that could hamper a return to price stability in the medium term," he said.

Draghi added that if the decision regarding further stimulus is made, than the ECB will discuss what kind of stimulus measures should be implemented.

Canada's seasonally adjusted Ivey purchasing managers' index fell to 53.1 in October from 53.7 in September. Analysts had expected the index to increase to 54.0.

A reading above 50 indicates a rise in the pace of activity, below 50 indicates a contraction in the pace of activity.

The supplier deliveries index was up 51.9 in October from 49.8 in September, while employment index dropped to 48.3 from 57.1.

The prices index was decreased to 61.8 in October from 64.4 in September, while inventories fell to 46.6 from 52.1.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) released its November meeting minutes on Thursday. 8 members voted to keep the central bank's monetary policy unchanged. Ian McCafferty voted to hike interest rate by 0.25%.

The consumer price inflation in the U.K. was -0.1% in September, below the central bank's 2% target. The BoE noted that the low inflation was mainly driven by lower prices for energy, food and other imported goods prices.

"The combined weakness in domestic costs and imported goods prices is evident in subdued measures of core inflation, which are currently around 1%," the minutes said.

The central bank said that the global outlook weakened.

"The outlook for global growth has weakened since the August Inflation Report. Many emerging market economies have slowed markedly and the Committee has downgraded its assessment of their medium-term growth prospects," the minutes said.

"While growth in advanced economies has continued and broadened, the Committee nonetheless expects the overall pace of UK-weighted global growth to be more modest than had been expected in August. There remain downside risks to this outlook, including that of a more abrupt slowdown in emerging economies," the central bank added.

The BoE noted the domestic economy remained resilient.

MPC members pointed out that the interest rate hike will be gradual when the Bank of England starts to raise its interest rate, adding that the decision will depend on the incoming economic data.

The Bank of England (BoE) released its interest rate decision on Thursday. The BoE kept its interest rates unchanged at 0.5% and its asset purchase program unchanged at £375 billion. This decision was widely expected.

The central bank expect the U.K. economy to expand 0.6% in the fourth quarter.

The central bank lowered its growth forecasts to 2.7% this year, down from the previous forecast of 2.8%, and 2.5% next year, down from the previous forecast of 2.6%.

Inflation is expected to hit the central bank's 2% target by the end of 2017.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs released its consumer confidence index data for Switzerland on Thursday. The index rose to -18 in October from -19 in July.

"While a slight improvement in economic development is expected, household anticipations concerning future unemployment and job security have deteriorated," the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs said in a statement.

The household expectations sub-index climbed to -16 in October from -25 in July, while the expected unemployment sub-index was up to 74 from 65.

U.S. stock-index futures rose.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 19,116.41 +189.50 +1.00%

Hang Seng 23,051.04 -2.53 -0.01%

Shanghai Composite 3,524.26 +64.62 +1.87%

FTSE 6,403.03 -9.85 -0.15%

CAC 5,003.51 +55.22 +1.12%

DAX 10,947.06 +101.82 +0.94%

Crude oil $46.36 (+0.09%)

Gold $1107.10 (+0.08%)

The U.S. Labor Department released non-farm productivity figures on Thursday. Preliminary productivity in the U.S. non-farm businesses rose at a 1.6% annual rate in the third quarter, beating expectations for a 0.2% decrease, after a 3.5% increase in the second quarter. The second quarter's figure was revised up from a 3.3% gain.

The increase was driven by a rise in manufacturing productivity, which rose 4.9%. Hours worked fell by 2.1%.

Preliminary unit labour costs increased 1.4% in the third quarter, missing expectations for a 2.3% rise, after a 1.8 drop in the second quarter. The second quarter's figure was revised down from a 1.4% decrease.

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Other:

Facebook (FB) target raised to $134 from $127 at Pivotal Research

Facebook (FB) target raised to $126 from $120 at Axiom Capita

Facebook (FB) target raised to $125 from $107 at Mizuho

Facebook (FB) target raised to $125 from $118 at FBR Capital

Facebook (FB) target raised to $135 from $130 at Jefferies

Facebook (FB) target raised to $120 from $108 at Stifel

The U.S. Labor Department released its jobless claims figures on Thursday. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending October 31 in the U.S. rose by 16,000 to 276,000 from 260,000 in the previous week.

Analysts had expected the initial jobless claims to increase to 262,000.

Jobless claims remained below 300,000 the 35th straight week. This threshold is associated with the strengthening of the labour market.

Continuing jobless claims increased by 17,000 to 2,163,000 in the week ended October 24.

Markit Economics released its retail purchasing managers' index (PMI) for Germany on Thursday. Germany's retail purchasing managers' index (PMI) declined to 52.4 in October from 54.0 in September.

The decline was driven by a drop in gross margins.

"German retailers reported further moderate, although unspectacular, growth of sales during October, with the headline PMI falling to an eight month low. A worry is that the rate of growth failed to accelerate despite retailers offering promotional sales," an economist at Markit, Oliver Kolodseike, said.

Markit Economics released construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for Germany on Thursday. Germany's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 51.8 in October from 52.4 in September.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector.

The index was driven by a drop in new business.

"October's construction PMI data signalled that building firms remained busy at the start of the fourth quarter. While the pace of expansion in construction output slowed since September, growth has now been reported in each of the past nine months," an economist at Markit, Oliver Kolodseike, said.

Stock indices traded mixed on the mixed corporate earnings reports and economic data from the Eurozone. Eurostat released its retail sales data for the Eurozone on Thursday. Retail sales in the Eurozone fell 0.1% in September, missing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a flat reading in July.

The decline was driven by lower food, drinks and tobacco sales, which slid 0.6% in September.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone climbed 2.9% in September, missing forecasts of a 3.0% gain, after a 2.2% increase in August. August's figure was revised down from a 2.3% rise.

Destatis released its factory orders data for Germany on Thursday. German seasonal adjusted factory orders dropped 1.7% in September, missing expectations for a 1.0% decrease, after a 1.8% fall in August.

The decline was driven by a drop in foreign and domestic orders. Foreign orders decreased by 2.4% in September, while domestic orders fell by 0.6%.

The European Commission released it economic growth forecast for the Eurozone on Thursday. Eurozone's economic growth for 2015 was upgraded to 1.6%, up from a previous estimate of 1.5%. Eurozone's economic growth for 2016 was cut to 1.8% from a previous estimate of 1.9%.

The European Central Bank's quantitative easing supports the economic growth in the Eurozone, the European Commission noted.

"The impact of the positive factors is fading, while new challenges are appearing, such as the slowdown in emerging market economies and global trade," it added.

Halifax released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. House prices in the U.K. increased 1.1% in October, exceeding expectations for a 0.6% gain, after a 0.9% rise in September.

On a yearly basis, house prices climbed 9.7% in the three months to October, exceeding expectations for a 9.5% gain, after a 8.6% increase in the three months to September.

"Improving economic conditions and household finances, together with sustained low mortgage rates, have boosted housing demand during 2015. Strengthening demand is filtering through in to higher sales levels although the ongoing shortage of supply is acting as a significant constraint on activity," Halifax's housing economist Martin Ellis said.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,389.13 -23.75 -0.37%

DAX 10,940.57 +95.33 +0.88%

CAC 40 4,993.91 +45.62 +0.92%

The European Commission released it economic growth forecast for the Eurozone on Thursday. Eurozone's economic growth for 2015 was upgraded to 1.6%, up from a previous estimate of 1.5%. Eurozone's economic growth for 2016 was cut to 1.8% from a previous estimate of 1.9%.

The European Central Bank's quantitative easing supports the economic growth in the Eurozone, the European Commission noted.

"The impact of the positive factors is fading, while new challenges are appearing, such as the slowdown in emerging market economies and global trade," it added.

"The European economy remains on recovery course. Looking to 2016, we see growth rising and unemployment and fiscal deficits falling. Yet the improvements are still unevenly spread: particularly in the euro area, convergence is not happening fast enough. Major challenges remain: insufficient investment, economic structures that hold back jobs and growth, and persistently high levels of private and public debt," Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, Pierre Moscovici, said in a statement.

German economic growth for 2015 was lowered to 1.7% from a previous estimate of 1.7%. Germany's economic growth for 2016 was downgraded to 1.9% from a previous estimate of 2.0%.

The European Commission downgraded the Greek GDP growth for 2015 to -1.4% from a previous estimate of 0.5%. Greece's economic growth for 2016 was lowered to -1.3% from a previous estimate of 2.9%.

French economic growth for 2015 remained unchanged at 1.1%. France's economic growth for 2016 was cut to 1.4% from a previous estimate of 1.7%.

The European Commission upgraded the Italian GDP growth for 2015 to 0.6% from a previous estimate of 0.9%. Italy's economic growth for 2016 was raised to 1.4% from a previous estimate of 1.5%.

Spanish economic growth for 2015 was raised to 3.1%, up from a previous estimate of 2.8%. Spain's economic growth for 2016 was upgraded to 2.7% from a previous estimate of 2.6%.

Halifax released its house prices data for the U.K. on Thursday. House prices in the U.K. increased 1.1% in October, exceeding expectations for a 0.6% gain, after a 0.9% rise in September.

On a yearly basis, house prices climbed 9.7% in the three months to October, exceeding expectations for a 9.5% gain, after a 8.6% increase in the three months to September.

"Improving economic conditions and household finances, together with sustained low mortgage rates, have boosted housing demand during 2015. Strengthening demand is filtering through in to higher sales levels although the ongoing shortage of supply is acting as a significant constraint on activity," Halifax's housing economist Martin Ellis said.

The Swiss Federal Statistics Office released its consumer inflation data on Thursday. Switzerland's consumer price index rose 0.1% in October, beating expectations for a flat reading, after a 0.1% increase in September.

The increase was driven by higher prices for clothing and new cars. Prices for clothing and shoes rose 5.5% in October.

On a yearly basis, Switzerland's consumer price index remained unchanged at -1.4% in October, in line with forecasts. It was the biggest fall since July 1959.

Eurostat released its retail sales data for the Eurozone on Thursday. Retail sales in the Eurozone fell 0.1% in September, missing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a flat reading in July.

The decline was driven by lower food, drinks and tobacco sales, which slid 0.6% in September.

Gasoline sales were flat in September, while non-food sales increased 0.1%.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone climbed 2.9% in September, missing forecasts of a 3.0% gain, after a 2.2% increase in August. August's figure was revised down from a 2.3% rise.

The annual rise was driven by non-food sales, gasoline sales, and food, drinks and tobacco sales.

Non-food sales gained 4.0% in September, gasoline sales increased 5.3%, while food, drinks and tobacco sales rose 1.6%.

Destatis released its factory orders data for Germany on Thursday. German seasonal adjusted factory orders dropped 1.7% in September, missing expectations for a 1.0% decrease, after a 1.8% fall in August.

The decline was driven by a drop in foreign and domestic orders. Foreign orders decreased by 2.4% in September, while domestic orders fell by 0.6%.

New orders from the Eurozone slid 6.7% in September, while orders from other countries rose 0.7%.

Orders of the intermediate goods increased by 0.4% in September, capital goods orders were down 2.9%, while consumer goods orders decreased 0.4%.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Glenn Stevens said at a conference in Melbourne on late Wednesday evening that the interest rate cut is more likely in the near term than an interest rate hike.

"Were a change to monetary policy to be required in the near term, it would almost certainly be an easing, not a tightening," he said.

The RBA governor noted that the economy continued to grow.

"We are still growing. It would be good if the growth was a bit stronger, but nonetheless over the past year the non-mining side of the economy has generated respectable growth in employment," Stevens said.

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) released its October 6-7 monetary policy meeting minutes on late Wednesday evening. According to minutes, the country's economy continued to recover moderately but exports and industrial production were flat due to the slowdown in emerging economies.

Labour market conditions continued to improve steadily, while employee income rose moderately, according to the minutes.

Private consumption was resilient, while housing investment picked up, the central bank noted.

Board members expect the inflation in Japan to be close to zero.

"As for prices, members concurred that the year-on-year rate of change in the CPI (all items less fresh food) was about 0 percent and was likely to remain at this level for the time being due to the effects of the decline in energy prices," the minutes said.

The BoJ decided to keep unchanged its monetary policy at its October meeting.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) lowered its U.K. growth forecasts on Tuesday. Britain's economy is expected to expand 2.4% in 2015, down from its previous forecast of 2.5%, and 2.3% in 2016, down from its previous forecast of 2.4%.

"Domestic demand will continue to be the main driver of growth this year and next as households take advantage of purchasing power improvements from the low inflationary environment and firms continue to invest," the think tank said.

The unemployment rate throughout the rest of this year and next year is expected to be 5.25%, the consumer price inflation is expected to increase rises from close to 0.0% in 2015 to 1.1% in 2016, while the Bank of England is expected to start raising its interest rate at the start of 2016 and then to hike gradually by 50 basis points a year, reaching 2% by the end of 2018.

New York Fed President William Dudley agreed with Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen on Wednesday that an interest rate hike in December is possible, depending on the incoming economic data.

Next Fed monetary policy meeting will be held December 15-16.

U.S. stock indices edged lower on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen hinted at a possibility of a rate hike in December and New York Fed President William Dudley supported her point of view. Yellen said that the U.S. economy will continue growing at a pace sufficient for further progress in the labor market and inflation. She said the central bank could raise rates in December if new data meet policymakers' expectations. Yellen added that the bank hasn't made a decision yet.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 50.57 points, or 0.3%, to 17,867.58. The S&P 500 lost 7.46 points, or 0.4%, to 2,102.33 (eight out of its 10 sectors fell with energy and consumer discretionary sector stocks leading declines). The Nasdaq Composite slid 2.65 points, or less than 0.1%, to 5,142.48.

Meanwhile data by the Automatic Data Processing showed that the pace of employment in the U.S. private sector slowed in October, but still slightly exceeded economists' expectations. The number of employed rose by 182,000 compared to +190,000 in September (revised from 200,000) and 180,000 expected.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 0.23%, or 52.82, to 23,106.39. China Shanghai Composite Index gained 2.69%, or 93.12, to 3.552.76. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.96%, or 180.96, to 19,107.87.

Asian indices advanced. Japanese stocks rose amid a stronger dollar and a weaker yen. Successful initial public offering of Japan Post Holdings on Wednesday also supported stocks.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei 225 18,926.91 +243.67 +1.30%

Hang Seng 23,053.57 +485.14 +2.15%

Shanghai Composite 3,458.86 +142.17 +4.29%

FTSE 100 6,412.88 +29.27 +0.46%

CAC 40 4,948.29 +12.11 +0.25%

Xetra DAX 10,845.24 -105.91 -0.97%

S&P 500 2,102.31 -7.48 -0.35%

NASDAQ Composite 5,142.48 -2.65 -0.05%

Dow Jones 17,867.58 -50.57 -0.28%