European stocks close: most stocks traded lower in the absence of any major economic reports

Most stock indices traded lower in the absence of any major economic reports. The trading volume was thin as markets in the U.S. were closed for the Independence Day holiday.

Stocks declined after yesterday's gains. Yesterday's gains were driven by comments by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi and strong the U.S. jobs data. Mr. Draghi said the ECB will keep interest rate at the present levels for an extended period of time.

U.S. companies added 288,000 jobs in June, exceeding expectations for an increase by 211,000 positions, after a gain of 224,000 jobs in May.

The unemployment rate in the U.S. dropped to 6.1% in June from 6.3% in May. That was the lowest level since September 2008.

German factory orders decreased 1.7% in May, missing expectations for a 0.8% fall, after a 3.4% gain in April. April's figure was revised up from a 3.1% increase.

On a yearly basis, German factory orders rose 5.5% in May, after a 6.3% increase in April.

Erste Group Bank AG dropped 16% after the company forecasted a full-year loss.

Raiffeisen Bank International AG shares decreased 4.1%.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,866.05 +0.84 +0.01%

DAX 10,009.08 -20.35 -0.20%

CAC 40 4,468.98 -20.90 -0.47%