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%

U.S. stock-index futures were little changed as investors weighed economic reports for clues on the timing of a rate increase before minutes from the last Federal Reserve meeting.

Global markets:

Nikkei 18,199.17 +212.08 +1.18%

FTSE 6,889.17 -8.96 -0.13%

CAC 4,793.15 +39.16 +0.82%

DAX 10,944.7 +49.08 +0.45%

Crude oil $52.35 (-2.20%)

Gold $1206.70 (-0.16%)

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

European stocks rose to a seven-year high amid investor speculation that Greece will reach a compromise agreement on its bailout terms with euro-area creditors.

"Greece and the euro zone have to find a good compromise," said Andreas Lipkow, a senior market strategist at Kliegel & Hafner AG in Berlin. "Investors have been underweight European equities, so that's why every weak day in the market is a buying opportunity for investors. QE is the most important theme in Europe right now. That is overshadowing everything."

Greece may request an extension of its loan agreement for six months as soon as today, according to a person familiar with the matter. Such a move would ease a standoff with creditors over its financing. Talks are continuing on the conditions that would be attached to such an extension, the person said.

Greece's ASE Index halted a two-day decline, rising 1.6 percent. National Bank of Greece SA and Piraeus Bank SA led the advance with gains of more than 7 percent.

Among companies moving on corporate news, PSA Peugeot Citroen rose 3.6 percent. The carmaker posted its first annual profit in three years after slashing costs.

Energy stocks and banks were among the biggest gainers out of 19 groups in the Stoxx 600 after Eni SpA and Credit Agricole SA posted results. Eni rose 2.8 percent after Italy's largest oil company posted fourth-quarter operating profit that beat estimates.

Credit Agricole jumped 6.1 percent to its highest price since March 2011. France's third-largest bank reported better-than-forecast fourth-quarter profit on higher earnings at the investment bank and lower provisions for doubtful loans.

Vivendi SA gained 1.1 percent after billionaire Patrick Drahi offered 3.9 billion euros ($4.4 billion) to buy its 20 percent in Numericable-SFR.

Carlsberg A/S sank 3.6 percent after fourth-quarter earnings missed analysts' estimates.

At the moment:

FTSE 100 6,901.02 +2.89 +0.04%

CAC 40 4,799 +45.01 +0.95%

DAX 10,955.74 +60.12 +0.55%

U.S. markets added gains after being closed on Monday for a public holiday. Markets were supported by hopes that a debt deal with Greece will be reached. Greece is supposed to extend its loan agreement for six months today.

On Tuesday the DOW JONES index added +0.16% closing at 18,047.58 points. The S&P 500 closed with a final quote of 2,100.34 at a record high, +0.16%.

Chinese markets are closed today for a public holiday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed on +0.19% on Tuesday at 24,832.08 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,247.43 points +0.78%, heading for the longest winning streak since late November last year. Markets were supported by speculations on further monetary stimulus by the Peoples Bank of China to reive growth.

Japanese markets closed at 8-year highs in today's trading following U.S. stocks on hopes on a Greek debt deal and the BoJ's decision to keep its monetary policy steady. The Nikkei added, closing +1.18% with a final quote of 18,199.17 points. The Bank of Japan held its unprecedented monetary policy steady after an 8 to 1 vote. Interest rates were not changed and remain at 0.10% and the Monetary Base Target was left at 275. The outlook for exports and factory output was upgraded and consumption remains firm according to BOJ Governor Kuroda. Inflation is slowing due to falling energy costs. He stated that the BoJ won't hesitate to achieve the price target and change policy if necessary.

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

S&P/ASX 200 5,858.21 -30.45 -0.52%

TOPIX 1,462.07 +2.64 +0.18%

SHANGHAI COMP 3,247.43 +25.07 +0.78%

HANG SEN 24,770.63 +44.10 +0.18%

FTSE 100 6,898.13 +41.08 +0.60%

CAC 40 4,753.99 +2.04 +0.04%

Xetra DAX 10,895.62 -27.61 -0.25%

S&P 500 2,100.34 +3.35 +0.16%

NASDAQ Composite 4,899.27 +5.43 +0.11%

Dow Jones 18,047.58 +28.23 +0.16%