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 %