European stocks close: most stocks closed higher as concerns over Greece's bailout policy eased

Most stock indices closed higher as concerns over Greece's bailout policy eased. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) rejected comments on Wednesday that it has discussed with Athens a new debt strategy.

Earlier, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said in a newspaper interview to La Repubblica that his government has proposed to the IMF a debt renegotiation.

Retail sales in the Eurozone rose 0.3% in December, beating expectations for a 0.1% decrease, after a 0.7% gain in November. November's figure was revised up from a 0.6% rise.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone surged 2.8% in December, after a 1.6% increase in November. November's figure was revised up from a 1.5% gain.

Eurozone' final services purchasing managers' index (PMI) climbed to 52.7 in January from a preliminary reading of 52.3. Analysts had expected the final index to remain at 52.3.

Germany's final services PMI rose to 54.0 in January from a preliminary reading of 52.7. Analysts had expected the final index to remain at 52.7.

France's final services PMI decreased to 49.3 in January from a preliminary reading of 49.5. Analysts had expected the final index to remain at 49.5.

Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. climbed to 57.2 in January from 55.8 in December, exceeding expectations for a rise to 56.6.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,860.02 -11.78 -0.17%

DAX 10,911.32 +20.37 +0.19%

CAC 40 4,696.3 +18.40 +0.39%