Most stock indices closed lower as investors doubt the effectiveness of a European Central Bank's stimulus measures. The European Central Bank (ECB) lowered its interest rate to 0.05% from 0.15% yesterday. The central bank also cut its deposit facility rate to -0.20% from -0.10% and its marginal lending rate to 0.30% from 0.40%.

The ECB President Mario Draghi said the central bank will start buying asset-backed securities, including covered bonds. Details of the asset-backed securities (ABS) program will be announced later.

The U.S. labour market data was mixed. The U.S. unemployment rate declined to 6.1% in August from 6.2% in July, but U.S. economy added only 142,000 jobs in August. That could mean that the Fed may wait before hiking its interest rate.

Investors monitor any developments in Ukraine. Representatives of Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists agreed on a ceasefire.

German industrial production climbed 1.9% in July, exceeding expectations for a 0.5% gain, after a 0.4% rise in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.3% increase.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,855.1 -22.87 -0.33%

DAX 9,747.02 +22.76 +0.23%

CAC 40 4,486.49 -8.45 -0.19%

U.S. stock-index futures fluctuated as weaker-than-estimated jobs growth fueled speculation the Federal Reserve won't have to raise rates sooner than anticipated.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,668.68 -7.50 -0.05%

Hang Seng 25,240.15 -57.77 -0.23%

Shanghai Composite 2,326.43 +19.57 +0.85%

FTSE 6,839.49 -38.48 -0.56%

CAC 4,479.04 -15.90 -0.35%

DAX 9,728.61 +4.35 +0.04%

Crude oil $94.49 (+0.01%)

Gold $1270.00 (+0.27%)

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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) initiated with an Outperform at BMO Capital Mkts, target $118

Stock indices traded lower as investors are awaiting the U.S. labour market data. Strong data from the U.S. could mean that the Fed may hike its interest rate sooner than expected.

Yesterday's European Central Bank's interest rate cut also weighed on markets. The European Central Bank (ECB) lowered its interest rate to 0.05% from 0.15%. The central bank also cut its deposit facility rate to -0.20% from -0.10% and its marginal lending rate to 0.30% from 0.40%.

The ECB President Mario Draghi said the central bank will start buying asset-backed securities, including covered bonds. Details of the asset-backed securities (ABS) program will be announced later.

Investors monitor any developments on a possible ceasefire agreement for eastern Ukraine.

German industrial production climbed 1.9% in July, exceeding expectations for a 0.5% gain, after a 0.4% rise in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.3% increase.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,833.42 -44.55 -0.65%

DAX 9,705.66 -18.60 -0.19%

CAC 40 4,478.31 -16.63 -0.37%

Most Asian stock indices closed lower closed lower as the European Central Bank's interest rate decision weighed on markets. The European Central Bank (ECB) lowered its interest rate to 0.05% from 0.15%. The central bank also cut its deposit facility rate to -0.20% from -0.10% and its marginal lending rate to 0.30% from 0.40%.

The ECB President Mario Draghi said the central bank will start buying asset-backed securities, including covered bonds. Details of the asset-backed securities (ABS) program will be announced later.

Yesterday's Bank of Japan's (BoJ) interest rate decision also weighed on markets. The BoJ kept its monetary policy unchanged. The BoJ said it will expand the monetary base at an annual pace of about ¥60 to ¥70 trillion. Japan's central bank added that it will continue with its quantitative and qualitative easing to achieve the 2% inflation target.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 15,668.68 -7.50 -0.05%

Hang Seng 25,240.15 -57.77 -0.23%

Shanghai Composite 2,326.43 +19.57 +0.85%