Stock indices closed lower for a third straight trading session.

European markets were still supported by yesterday's better-than-expected German trade surplus.

Investors also speculate about the effectiveness of new stimulus measures by the European Central Bank.

France's trade deficit fell to €5.5 billion in July from a deficit of €5.6 billion in June, missing expectations for a decline to a deficit of €5.0 billion. June's figure was revised down from a deficit of €5.4 billion.

A weekend Scotland's independence poll still weighed on British markets. The poll showed 47% said "yes" to independence, while 45% said "no", with the rest undecided. That was the first time lead for "yes" campaign.

The Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney said at the TUC's annual meeting that the BoE could start to hike its interest rates next spring. He added that the central bank expects real wages to rise around the middle of next year.

Market participants continue to monitor tensions between Russia and Ukraine. European Union put on hold new sanctions against Russia.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,829 -5.77 -0.08%

DAX 9,710.7 -47.33 -0.49%

CAC 40 4,452.37 -22.56 -0.50%