Most stock indices closed lower as oil and banking shares declined.

Investors are cautions despite new debt deal between Greece and the European Union.

The number of mortgage approvals increased to 36,700 in January from 35,800 in December, exceeding expectations for a rise to 36,200. December's figure was revised up from 35,700.

The Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney said nothing about the monetary policy at today's launch of the One Bank Research Agenda.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,935.38 14.25 -0.21 %

DAX 11,210.27 +4.53 +0.04 %

CAC 40 4,882.22 -4.22 -0.09 %

The U.S. Commerce Department released new home sales data on Wednesday. New home sales declined 0.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 481,000 units in January from 482,000 units in December, the highest level since June 2008.

December's figure was revised up from 481,000 units.

Analysts had expected new home sales to reach 477,000 units.

The decline was driven by weaker sales in the Northeast. New home sales in the Northeast dropped 51.6%, the biggest drop since June 2012.

U.S. stock futures slightly down as investors looked ahead to a second day of testimony from Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen.

Global markets:

Nikkei 18,585.2 -18.28 -0.10%

Hang Seng 24,778.28 +28.21 +0.11%

Shanghai Composite 3,229.57 -17.33 -0.53%

FTSE 6,921.7 -27.93 -0.40%

CAC 4,873.37 -13.07 -0.27%

DAX 11,189.53 -16.21 -0.14%

Crude oil $49.54 (+0.55%)

Gold $1206.90 (+0.80%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Other:

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) target lowered to $43 from $46 at Monness Crespi & Hardt, to $38 from $39 at RBC Capital Mkts, to $38 from $40 at Mizuho

Home Depot (HD) target raised from $110 to $130 at Argus, from $116 to $127 at RBC Capital Mkts

Starbucks (SBUX) target raised from $102 to $107 Piper Jaffray

Apple (AAPL) target raised from $130 to $150 at Stifel

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) earned $0.92 per share in the first fiscal quarter, beating analysts' estimate of $0.91. Revenue in the first fiscal quarter decreased 4.7% year-over-year to $26.84 billion, missing analysts' estimate of $27.35 billion.

The company released its forecasts for second fiscal quarter. EPS is expected to be $0.84-$0.88 (analysts' estimate: $0.96).

The company expects EPS to be $3.53-$3.73 (revised down from $3.83-$4.03) in fiscal year 2015 (analysts' estimate: $3.95).

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) shares decreased to $36.25 (-5.82%) prior to the opening bell.

European stocks moderately decline from highs hit yesterday on mixed corporate earnings after being almost flat in early trading. Yesterday markets were fuelled by FED chair Yellen's comments on the banks plans not to hike interest rates in the near future and Eurozone's extensions of the Greek bailout for four further months.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -0.35% quoted at 6,925.25. Germany's DAX 30 lost -0.06%, trading at 11,199.50. France's CAC 40 is currently trading at 4,875.66 points, -0.22%.

Data on the HSBC China PMI showed an increase of activity in the huge factory sector as the index is back into positive territory. Economic stimulus by the People's Bank of China and economic recovery in the U.S. seem to lend support.

The HSBC Manufacturing PMI rose from 49.7 to 50.1 to a four month-high, above the estimated reading of 49.6. A reading above 50 represents growth in activity. Readings of output and new orders both improved.

Domestic demand firmed while new export orders contracted for the first time since April 2014. Employment declined for a sixteenth consecutive month as companies reduced staff as a consequence of the economic slowdown.

The world's second largest economy grew at the slowest pace in 24 years in 2014.

European stocks are flat in early trading on Wednesday after rallying yesterday after Fed Chair Janet Yellen's speech. Yellen testified before the Senate Banking Committee in Washington on Tuesday. She said it is unlikely that the Fed will raise its interest rate in "the next couple of FOMC meetings" as wage growth remains too low even as the job market improves. The Fed Chair noted that the central bank will change the wording of the policy statement when it will raise its interest rate and that the FED will not rush into raising interest rates.

Yesterday markets were supported after Eurozone's finance ministers approved the four-month bailout extension and accepted the list of reforms proposed by the Greek government including taxation, public spending and a reform of the pension system.

Today financials and the energy sector declined.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -0.02% quoted at 6,94805 points. Germany's DAX 30 is trading flat at 11,206 points. France's CAC 40 lost -0.02%, currently trading at 4,885.33 points.

U.S. markets rose and closed at records on Tuesday after the speech of the Fed Chair Janet Yellen. Yellen testified before the Senate Banking Committee in Washington on Tuesday. She said it is unlikely that the Fed will raise its interest rate in "the next couple of FOMC meetings" as wage growth remains too low even as the job market improves. The Fed Chair noted that the central bank will change the wording of the policy statement when it will raise its interest rate and that the FED will not rush into raising interest rates.

Yesterday Eurozone's finance ministers approved the four-month bailout extension on Tuesday and accepted the list of reforms proposed by the Greek government.

The DOW JONES index added +0.51% closing at 18,209.19 points. The S&P 500 closed +0.28% with a final quote of 2,115.48 points.

Chinese stocks declined after re-opening despite a better-than expected HSBC China PMI. The HSBC Manufacturing PMI rose from 49.7 to 50.1 to a four month-high, above the estimated reading of 49.6. A reading above 50 represents growth in activity. Domestic demand firmed while new export orders contracted for the first time since April 2014. Both input and output prices remain in contraction, according to HSBC. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is trading slightly negative -0.05% at 24,738.09 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,229.57 points -0.53%, the first retreat in eight days.

Japanese markets declined after a five day rally and closed below fresh 15-year highs hit yesterday. The Nikkei lost 18 points, closing -0.10% with a final quote of 18,585.20 points. Losses were limited after FED chair Yellen's speech as she stated that the bank's policy will be flexible.

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

Nikkei 225 18,603.48 +136.56 +0.74 %

Topix 1,508.28 +5.45 +0.36 %

FTSE 100 6,949.63 +37.47 +0.54 %

CAC 40 4,886.44 +24.14 +0.50 %

Xetra DAX 11,205.74 +74.82 +0.67 %

S&P 500 2,115.48 +5.82 +0.28 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,968.12 +7.15 +0.14 %

Dow Jones 18,209.19 +92.35 +0.51 %