Stock indices traded lower. U.S. President Barack Obama has authorised airstrikes against militants in Iraq. Losses were trimmed as news reported that Russia could de-escalate the Ukraine conflict.

Germany's trade surplus decreased to €16.2 billion in June from €18.8 billion in May. Analysts had expected the trade surplus to increase to €19.8 billion.

French industrial production climbed 1.3% in June, beating forecasts of a 1.1% rise, after a 1.6% fall in May. May's figure was revised up from a 2.3% decline.

Britain's trade deficit rose to £9.41 billion in June from £9.15 billion in May. May's figure was revised up from a deficit of £9.20 billion. Analysts had expected the deficit to decline to £8.90 billion in June.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA shares dropped 8.1% after reporting the weaker-than-expected net loss in the second quarter.

Nokian Renkaat Oyj shares plunged 6.1% after missing second-quarter earnings forecast. The company's sales in Russia plunged 31% in the first half of 2014.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,567.36 -30.01 -0.45%

DAX 9,009.32 -29.65 -0.33%

CAC 40 4,147.81 -2.02 -0.05%

U.S. stock futures rose slightly on a report that Russia wants to de-escalate the crisis in eastern Ukraine that outweighed increased tensions over Iraq. RIA Novosti cited Russian Security Council head Nikolai Patrushev which reported that Russia seeks a de-escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.

Global markets:

Nikkei 14,778.37 -454.00 -2.98%

Hang Seng 24,331.41 -56.15 -0.23%

Shanghai Composite 2,194.42 +6.76 +0.31%

FTSE 6,574.74 -22.63 -0.34%

CAC 4,154 +4.17 +0.10%

DAX 9,031.96 -7.01 -0.08%

Crude oil $97.59 (+0.69%)

Gold $1310.50 (-0.15%)

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

Stock indices traded lower. U.S. President Barack Obama has authorised airstrikes against militants in Iraq.

Germany's trade surplus decreased to €16.2 billion in June from €18.8 billion in May. Analysts had expected the trade surplus to increase to €19.8 billion.

French industrial production climbed 1.3% in June, beating forecasts of a 1.1% rise, after a 1.6% fall in May. May's figure was revised up from a 2.3% decline.

Britain's trade deficit rose to £9.41 billion in June from £9.15 billion in May. May's figure was revised up from a deficit of £9.20 billion. Analysts had expected the deficit to decline to £8.90 billion in June.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA shares dropped 5.5% after reporting the weaker-than-expected net loss in the second quarter.

Nokian Renkaat Oyj shares dropped 5.9% after missing second-quarter earnings forecast. The company's sales in Russia plunged 31% in the first half of 2014.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,556.66 -40.71 -0.62%

DAX 8,966.63 -72.34 -0.80%

CAC 40 4,137.52 -12.31 -0.30%

Most Asian stock closed lower as U.S. President Barack Obama has authorised airstrikes against militants in Iraq.

The better-than-expected trade data from China trimmed some losses on markets. China's trade surplus rose to $47.30 billion in July from $31.6 billion in June. Analysts had expected to narrow to $26 billion.

The Bank of Japan released its interest rate decision. The BoJ's interest rate remained unchanged at 0.10%. Japan's central bank will continue to increase the monetary base at an annual pace of 60 trillion yen to 70 trillion yen.

Japan's adjusted current account balance decreased to 125.6 billion yen in June from 384.6 in May, beating expectation for a fall to 110.0 billion yen.

Nikon Corp. shares declined 9.4% as the company lowered its full-year forecast.

Nippon Electric Glass Co. fell 8.8% after the company cut its nine-month net-income forecast.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 14,778.37 -454.00 -2.98%

Hang Seng 24,331.41 -56.15 -0.23%

Shanghai Composite 2,194.42 +6.76 +0.31%