Most stock indices closed lower. People with knowledge of the transactions said that the European Central Bank (ECB) has purchased German, Italia, French and Belgian bonds.

A spokesman for the ECB declined to comment.

The Sentix investor confidence index for the Eurozone rose to 18.6 in March from 12.4 in February, exceeding expectations for an increase to 15.0.That was the highest level since August 2007.

The index benefited from a weaker euro, lower oil prices and quantitative easing.

Germany's trade surplus narrowed to €19.7 billion in January from €21.6 billion in December, missing expectations for a rise to €22.3 billion. December's figure was revised down from a surplus of €21.8 billion.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,876.47 -35.33 -0.51 %

DAX 11,582.11 +31.14 +0.27 %

CAC 40 4,937.2 -27.15 -0.55 %

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) released housing starts data on Monday. Housing starts in Canada decreased to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 156,276 units in February from a revised reading of 187,025 units in January. January's figure revised down from 187,276 units.

Analysts had expected an increase to 191,000 units.

The CMHC's Chief Economist Bob Dugan said that "the trend in housing starts decreased for a fifth consecutive month in February and reflects a decreasing trend in multiple starts".

U.S. stock-index futures are mixed.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) climbed 1% as investors await details of its smartwatch that starts shipping to stores in April.

General Motors Co. (GM) advanced more than 3% after announcement a share buyback program.

Global markets:

Nikkei 18,790.55 -180.45 -0.95%

Hang Seng 24,123.05 -40.95 -0.17%

Shanghai Composite 3,302.16 +60.98 +1.88%

FTSE 6,879.45 -32.35 -0.47%

CAC 4,946.72 -17.63 -0.36%

DAX 11,564.66 +13.69 +0.12%

Crude oil $49.29 (-0.29%)

Gold $1171.40 (+0.61%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Amazon.com (AMZN) downgradd from Buy to Neutral at Sun Trust Rbsn Humphrey

Other:

Apple (AAPL) target raised to $145 from $130 at Macquarie

European stocks recovered slightly over the course of the day after a negative start tracking losses in the U.S. Greece remains in the focus as the proposed list of measures is far from complete, the head of Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Sunday. Today Eurozone finance ministers will further discuss on how to proceed with Greece and its reform plans. Time is running out for the country as it is expected to run out of money by the end of the month.

Today Destatis reported data on the Trade Balance of Eurozone's biggest economy that showed a decline from January's balance and was below expectations. The Trade Balance narrowed from revised 21.6 billion euros (21.8) to 19.7 billion. Economist expected a rise to 22.3 billion euros.

Exports showed the sharpest decline in five months and slumped by 2.1% after strong gains in December although the weaker euro should bolster exports in the future. Imports declined by 0.3%.

Market research group Sentix reported data on Investor Confidence today. The survey was conducted among 1000 private and institutional investors. Investor Confidence for March came in at 18.6, climbing 6.2 points, compared to forecasts of 15 points and a previous reading of 12.4, reaching the highest reading since August 2007.

The stronger-than-expected data eases concerns over the economic outlook of the Eurozone. A weaker Euro, Quantitative Easing and lower oil prices boost the European economy. A level above zero shows that optimism prevails, below zero indicates pessimism.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -0.70% quoted at 6,863.39. Germany's DAX 30 lost -0.20% trading at 11,528.09. France's CAC 40 is currently trading at 4,931.88 points, -0.65%.

Market research group Sentix reported data on Investor Confidence today. The survey was conducted among 1000 private and institutional investors. Investor Confidence for March came in at 18.6, climbing 6.2 points, compared to forecasts of 15 points and a previous reading of 12.4, reaching the highest reading since August 2007.

The stronger-than-expected data eases concerns over the economic outlook of the Eurozone. A weaker Euro, Quantitative Easing and lower oil prices boost the European economy. A level above zero shows that optimism prevails, below zero indicates pessimism.

BLOOMBERG

RBNZ Likely Looking at New Tools to Avoid Rate Rises, Key Says

(Bloomberg) -- New Zealand's central bank is probably investigating new tools to slow housing demand because it is unable to raise interest rates in a low-inflation environment, Prime Minister John Key says.

The Reserve Bank said last week it was seeking views on how to define property investment loans, adding to signs it may tighten rules in an attempt to cool surging house prices. Key said he hadn't been briefed on the issue by the RBNZ while a spokesman for the central bank declined to comment.

"It's clearly trying to ensure there's not a bubble emerging in the housing market," Key told reporters in Wellington Monday. "It's doing so in such a way that it's not having to lift interest rates."

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-09/rbnz-likely-looking-at-new-tools-to-avoid-rate-rises-key-says

REUTERS

Eurogroup's Dijsselbloem: Greece reform outline 'far from complete'

(Reuters) - A list of reforms proposed by Greece last week to help it win creditor support is "far from complete," the head of the Eurogroup said.

Speaking at an event in Amsterdam on Sunday, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who is also Dutch finance minister, said the Greek proposal was "serious" but not enough.

Dijsselbloem, whose Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers will discuss Greece at a meeting on Monday, said Athens had submitted six proposals, with more expected to come.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/09/us-eurozone-greece-dijsselbloem-idUSKBN0M50IY20150309

BLOOMBERG

ECB Said to Begin Buying German Government Bonds in QE

(Bloomberg) -- The European Central Bank was said to start buying euro-area government bonds as it took the first step of its expanded quantitative-easing plan designed to boost price growth in the region.

Central banks from the region bought German bonds, said two traders in government debt, who asked not to be identified because the transactions are confidential. Sovereign securities across the region advanced. A spokesman for the ECB declined to comment on the purchases.

Bonds rallied. The yield on Germany's 10-year bunds fell four basis points, or 0.04 percentage point, to 0.35 percent at 8:54 a.m. London time, approaching the record-low 0.283 percent set on Feb. 26. Italy's 10-year yield dropped four basis points to 1.28 percent.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-09/ecb-said-to-begin-buying-german-government-bonds-under-qe-plan-i71mqdno

European stocks follow the Wall Street and fall at the start. On Friday strong U.S. jobs data led U.S. shares lower on expectations that the Federal Reserve might raise interest rates rather sooner than later.

Greece remains in the focus as the proposed list of measures is far from complete, the head of Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Sunday.

Today Destatis reported data on the Trade Balance of Eurozone's biggest economy that showed a decline from January's Balance and was below expectations. The Trade Balance fell from revised 21.6 billion euros (21.8) to 19.7 billion. Economist expected a rise to 22.3 billion euros.

Exports showed the sharpest decline in five months and slumped by 2.1% after strong gains in December although the weaker euro should bolster exports in the future. Imports declined by 0.3%.

Markets look forward to Eurozone's Sentix Investor Confidence data due at 09:30 GMT and the Eurogroup meetings scheduled for 10:00 GMT where Eurozone finance ministers will further discuss on how to proceed with Greece. Time is running out for the country as it is expected to run out of money by the end of the month.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -0.60% quoted at 6,870.67. Germany's DAX 30 lost -0.55% trading at 11,487.80, France's CAC 40 is currently trading at 4,928.83 points, -0.72%.

U.S. stocks slumped on Friday after the better-than-expected U.S. labour market data reported on Friday. The U.S. economy added 295,000 jobs in February, exceeding expectations for a rise of 241,000 jobs, after a gain of 239,000 jobs in January. January's figure was revised down from a rise of 257,000 jobs - the data fuelled expectations of the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates rather sooner than later.

The S&P 500 closed -1.42% with a final quote of 2,071.26 points with the financial sector as top performer although all 10 sectors declined. The DOW JONES index declined by -1.54% closing at 17,856.78 points.

Chinese stocks traded mixed at the start of the week. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is trading moderately lower -0.04% at 24,155.27 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,336.14 points rising +1.88% at the close. Gains were led by banks after the China Securities Regulatory Commission announced that lenders might be allowed to act as brokerages.

The Nikkei lost ground on Monday following Wall Street with low volumes traded. The Nikkei closed -0.95% with a final quote of 18,790.55 points. . Data on the Japanese Eco Watchers Survey was reported. The Current Survey showed an increase from 45.6 to 50.1, beating an estimated increase to 46.7 points. -the Outlook came in at 53.2 in February coming from 50.0 in January.

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

Nikkei 225 18,971 +219.16 +1.17 %

Hang Seng 24,164 -29.04 -0.12 %

Shanghai Composite 3,241.24 -7.24 -0.22 %

FTSE 100 6,911.8 -49.34 -0.71 %

CAC 40 4,964.35 +0.84 +0.02 %

Xetra DAX 11,550.97 +46.96 +0.41 %

S&P 500 2,071.26 -29.78 -1.42 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,927.37 -55.44 -1.11 %

Dow Jones 17,856.78 -278.94 -1.54 %