European stocks close: stocks closed lower as concerns over Greece's debt problems weighed on markets

Stock indices closed lower as concerns over Greece's debt problems weighed on markets. The Greek government failed to reach an agreement with its creditors on Monday.

The consumer inflation in the Eurozone rose to an annual rate of -0.1% in March from -0.3% in February. Analysts had expected a 0.3% drop. Lower energy prices weighed on the consumer inflation.

Eurozone's unemployment rate fell to 11.3% in February from 11.4% in January. January's figure was revised down from 11.2%. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to decline to 11.2%.

The number of unemployed people in Germany declined by 14,000 in March, exceeding expectations for a 10,000 decline, after a 20,000 drop in February.

Germany's adjusted unemployment rate was down to 6.4% in March from 6.5% in February. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to remain unchanged 6.5%.

German adjusted retail sales fell 0.5% in February, beating forecasts of a 0.9% drop, after a 2.3% gain in January. January's figure was revised down from a 2.9% increase.

French consumer spending increased 0.1% in February, missing expectations for a 0.3% gain, after a 0.7% rise in January. January's figure was revised up from a 0.6% increase.

The gross domestic product in the U.K. rose 0.6% in the fourth quarter, up from a previous estimate of 0.5% gain, exceeding expectations for a 0.5% rise.

On a yearly basis, the U.K. GDP increased 3.0% in the fourth quarter, up from a previous estimate of 2.7% rise, exceeding expectations for a 2.7% gain.

The U.K. current account deficit narrowed to £18.5 billion in the fourth quarter from £27.7 billion in the third quarter. The third quarter's figure was revised down from a deficit of £27.0 billion. Analysts had expected the current account deficit to decrease to £21.2 billion.

Business Investment in the U.K. rose 0.9% in fourth quarter, after a 1.4% rise the previous quarter.

On a yearly basis, business Investment in the U.K. surged 3.7% in fourth quarter, after a 2.1% increase the previous quarter.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,773.04 -118.39 -1.72 %

DAX 11,966.17 -119.84 -0.99 %

CAC 40 5,033.64 -49.88 -0.98 %