European stocks close: most stocks closed lower as tensions over Ukraine weighed on markets

Most stock indices traded lower as tensions over Ukraine weighed on markets. Market participants have concerns whether a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine would hold.

European markets advanced last week as the European Central Bank (ECB) lowered its interest rate to 0.05% from 0.15%, and the ECB President Mario Draghi said the central bank will start buying asset-backed securities, including covered bonds. Details of the asset-backed securities (ABS) program will be announced later.

The Sentix investor confidence index for the Eurozone dropped to -9.8 in September from 2.7 in August, missing forecasts of an increase to 3.2. That was the lowest level since July 2013.

German stocks were driven by the better-than-expected German trade surplus. Germany's trade surplus jumped to €22.2 billion in July from €16.4 billion in June, exceeding expectations for a surplus €17.3 billion. June's figure was revised up from a surplus of €16.2 billion.

Scotland's independence referendum weighed on British markets. A weekend poll showed 47% said "yes" to independence, while 45% said "no", with the rest undecided. That was the first time lead for "yes" campaign.

Electrolux AB shares rose 5.0% after purchasing General Electric Co.'s appliance unit.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,834.77 -20.33 -0.30%

DAX 9,758.03 +11.01 +0.11%

CAC 40 4,474.93 -11.56 -0.26%