Stock indices traded lower after the cut of Italy's credit rating by S&P weighed on stocks and weak Chinese trade data. S&P downgraded Italy's credit rating to BBB- from BBB late on Friday.
China's imports fell 6.7% in November, after a 4.6% rise in October. Exports climbed 4.7% in November, after 11.6% gain in October.
The Sentix investor confidence index for the Eurozone increased to -2.5 in December from -11.9 in November. Analysts had expected the index to climb to -9.9.
German industrial production rose 0.2% in October, in line with expectations, after a 1.1% gain in September. September's figure was revised down from a 1.4% increase.
Current figures:
Name Price Change Change %
FTSE 100 6,687.27 -55.57 -0.82%
DAX 10,035.26 -51.86 -0.51%
CAC 40 4,386.15 -33.33 -0.75%