(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei 225 15,749.15+44.04 +0.28%

Hang Seng 25,190.45 -49.70 -0.20%

Shanghai Composite 2,326.53 +0.09 0.00%

FTSE 100 6,829 -5.77 -0.08%

CAC 40 4,452.37 -22.56 -0.50%

Xetra DAX 9,710.7 -47.33 -0.49%

S&P 500 1,988.44 -13.10 -0.65%

NASDAQ Composite 4,552.29 -40.00 -0.87%

Dow Jones 17,013.87 -97.55 -0.57%

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%

U.S. stock-index futures are mixid amid concern the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates sooner than anticipated.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,749.15 +44.04 +0.28%

Hang Seng 25,190.45 -49.70 -0.20%

Shanghai Composite 2,326.53 +0.09 0.00%

FTSE 6,839.76 +4.99 +0.07%

CAC 4,467.18 -7.75 -0.17%

DAX 9,736.12 -21.91 -0.22%

Crude oil $93.64 (+1.06%)

Gold $1256.10 (+0.15%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Chevron (CVX) downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at BofA/Merrill

Other:

Alcoa (AA) initiated with a Outperform at Bernstein; target $22

Stock indices traded lower in cautious trade.

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.

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

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,830.28 -4.49 -0.07%

DAX 9,746.9 -11.13 -0.11%

CAC 40 4,468.82 -6.11 -0.14%

Asian stock indices closed mixed in quiet trade.

Hong Kong's markets were closed for a public holiday.

Japanese stocks were driven by a weaker yen. The yen traded near its lowest level since 2008 against the U.S. dollar. The U.S. dollar strengthened yesterday as the San Francisco Federal Reserve's research report showed that investors were underestimating the start of interest rate hike by the Fed. The Fed could raise its interest rate sooner than expected.

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) released its minutes from the August meeting. The BoJ said the Japan's economy has continued its moderate recovery as a trend. Japan's central bank added that "it was important to accurately gauge the underlying trend in prices".

Japan's tertiary industry index remained flat in July, beating forecasts for a 0.3% decline. June's figure was revised up from a 0.1% decrease.

Japan's Cabinet Office released its consumer confidence index for Japan. The index fell to 41.2 in August from 41.5 in July, missing expectations for a rise to 42.3.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 15,749.15 +44.04 +0.28%

Hang Seng closed

Shanghai Composite 2,326.53 +0.09 0.00%