Stock indices closed higher on the positive data from the Eurozone. Germany's ZEW economic sentiment index increased to 34.9 in December from 11.5 in November, exceeding expectations for a rise to 19.8. That was the highest reading since May 2014.

Eurozone's ZEW economic sentiment index fell to 10.0 in December from 11.0 in October, missing expectations for a gain to 20.1.

Eurozone's trade surplus widened to €19.4 billion in October from €17.9 billion in September, exceeding expectations for a rise to €18.2 billion. September's figure was revised up from a surplus of €17.7 billion.

Eurozone's preliminary manufacturing PMI increased to 50.8 in December from 50.1 in November, exceeding expectations for a rise to 50.5.

Eurozone's preliminary services PMI rose to 50.9 in December from 51.1 in November. Analysts had expected the index to climb to 51.6

Germany's preliminary manufacturing PMI increased to 51.2 in December from 49.5 in November, beating forecasts of an increase to 50.4.

Germany's preliminary services PMI fell to 51.4 in December from 52.1 in November, missing expectations for a gain to 52.6.

France's preliminary manufacturing PMI dropped to 47.9 in December from 48.4 in November, missing forecasts of a rise to 48.7.

France's preliminary services PMI climbed to 49.8 in December from 47.9 in November, exceeding expectations for a gain to 48.6.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,331.83 +149.11 +2.41%

DAX 9,563.89 +229.88 +2.46%

CAC 40 4,093.2 +87.82 +2.19%

U.S. stock-index futures tumbled as oil prices continued their plunge, sending equities worldwide lower.

Global markets:

Nikkei 16,755.32 -344.08 -2.01%

Hang Seng 22,670.5 -357.35 -1.55%

Shanghai Composite 3,021.26 +67.84 +2.30%

FTSE 6,199.22 +16.50 +0.27%

CAC 3,968.88 -36.50 -0.91%

DAX 9,303.81 -30.20 -0.32%

Crude oil $53.73 (-3.90%)

Gold $1210.40 (+0.24%)

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

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Caterpillar (CAT) downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at Macquarie

General Motors (GM) downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC Capital Markets

Microsoft (MSFT) downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at BofA/Merrill

Other:

Twitter (TWTR) target lowered to $45 from $55, maintain Buy at Evercore ISI

In today's session the FTSE 100 index added +0.69% quoted at 6,225.63 points whereas France's CAC 40 lost -0.22% trading at 3,996.50. Germany's DAX 30 is up +0.25% at 9,357.46 points as the ZEW economic sentiment index rose for a second consecutive month beating forecasts with a reading of 34.9. Analysts predicted an increase from 11.5 in November to 19.8. Eurozone's ZEW sentiment declined from 11 in November to 10 in December falling short of expectations for 20.1. Eurozone's Trade Balance improved from 17.7 to 19.4. Mixed PMI's in Germany, France and the Eurozone and falling oil prices added to a negative sentiment earlier in the session. United Kingdom's inflation rose at the slowest pace since 2002 in November.

European indices continued to weaken on mixed PMI data from France and Germany. Frances Manufacturing PMI for December declined to 47.9 not meeting expectations. Analyst's forecasted 48.7. The Services PMI was better-than expected, reading 49.8, beating estimates by 1.2. Germany's Manufacturing PMI beat estimates by 0.8 with a reading of 51.2 whereas the Services PMI declined to 51.4 from previous 52.1. Forecasters predicted an increase to 52.6. The Manufacturing PMI for the Eurozone beat estimates by 0.3 with a reading of 50.8. The Services PMI added 0.7 to 50.8. Analysts predicted the index to rise by only 0.4. Weaker PMI data from China also weighed on the markets fuelling fears of an economic cool down.

Markets await the speech of BoE Governor Carney taking place at 09:00 GMT, U.K.'s PPI and HICP data and Eurozone's and Germany's ZEW Economic Sentiment at 10:00 GMT.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -0.41% quoted at 6,157.17 points, Germany's DAX 30 lost -0.79% trading at 9,260.09. France's CAC 40 declined by --0.67%, currently trading at 3,978.71 points.

U.S. markets were trading lower on Monday on mixed U.S. data and falling oil prices. The DOW JONES lost -0.58% closing at 17,180.84 points, the S&P 500 declined -0.63%, with a final quote of 1,989.63 points. The U.S. industrial production increased 1.3% in November, exceeding expectations for a 0.8% rise, after a 0.1% gain in October. That was the highest rise since May 2010. October's figure was revised up from a 0.1% decrease. The NAHB housing market index fell to 57.0 in December from 58.0 in November, missing expectations for a rise to 59.0. The NY Fed Empire State manufacturing index dropped to -3.6 in November from 10.2 in October. That was the first negative reading since January 2013. Analysts had expected the index to rise to 12.1. Analysts had expected the index to rise to 12.1. Markets now look ahead to the final policy meeting of the FED in 2014 taking place today and tomorrow.

Chinese stocks added gains while trading in Hong Kong was negative. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is trading -1.25% at 22,740.63. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,021.26 points, a gain of +2.30% surpassing the 3,000 points mark. With the Chinese PMI falling below 50 market participants expect further stimulus measures from the PBoC.

Japan's Nikkei lost -2.01% closing at 16,755.32 as declining oil prices and concerns over global economic growth boosted the Japanese yen as a safe haven and put pressure on exporter stocks. The Nikkei closed at its lowest since the surprise stimulus of the BoJ on October 31^st.