European stocks close: stocks closed lower on concerns over the slowdown in the global economy

Stock indices closed lower on concerns over the slowdown in the global economy and on falling oil prices.

Meanwhile, the economic data from Eurozone was mixed. Destatis released its industrial production data for Germany on Tuesday. German industrial production fell 1.2% in December, missing expectations for a 0.4% gain, after a 0.1% decline in November.

The output of capital goods decreased 2.6% in December, energy output declined 3.0%, and the production in the construction sector was down 0.2%, while the production of intermediate goods climbed 0.8%.

The output of consumer goods fell 1.4%.

German industrial production excluding energy and construction declined by 1.1% in December.

Manufacturing turnover rose on seasonally adjusted and on adjusted for working days basis by 1.8% in December, after a 2.1% fall in November.

Germany's trade surplus decreased to €18.8 billion in December from 20.5 in November. November's figure was revised down from a surplus of €20.6 billion.

Exports fell 1.6% in December, while imports decreased 1.6%.

On a yearly basis, German exports increased 3.2% in December, while imports rose by 3.5%.

Germany's current account surplus was at €25.6 billion in December, up from €24.3 billion in November. November's figure was revised down from a surplus of €24.7 billion.

In 2015 as whole, the trade surplus climbed to €247.8 billion from €213.6 billion. The latest figure was the highest ever recorded. Exports increased 6.4% in 2015, while imports rose 4.2%.

The U.K. trade deficit in goods narrowed to £9.92 billion in December from £11.50 billion in November. November's figure was revised up from a deficit of £10.64 billion.

The decline in deficit was driven by a drop in imports. Exports of goods dropped 0.8% in December, while imports slid 3.6%.

In 2015 as whole, the trade deficit widened to £125.028 billion from £123.143 billion in 2014.

The total trade deficit, including services, narrowed to £2.17 billion in December from £4.03 billion in November. November's figure was revised up from a deficit of £3.17 billion.

In 2015 as whole, the total trade deficit widened to £34.7 billion from £34.4 billion in 2014.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 5,639.13 -50.23 -0.88 %

DAX 8,879.4 -99.96 -1.11 %

CAC 40 3,997.54 -68.77 -1.69 %