European stocks close: stocks closed lower on the weaker-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data

Stock indices traded lower on the weaker-than-expected Chinese Markit/Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers'

Stock indices closed lower on the weaker-than-expected Chinese Markit/Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI). The Chinese Markit/Caixin manufacturing PMI declined to 48.2 in December from 48.6 in November, missing expectations for a reading of 49.0. Production fell in December, partly driven by a further drop in total new work. Companies continued to shed their staff.

Meanwhile, the economic data from Eurozone was mixed. Destatis released its consumer price data for Germany on Monday. German preliminary consumer price index decreased 0.1% in December, missing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a 0.1% increase in November.

On a yearly basis, German preliminary consumer price index declined to 0.3% in December from 0.4% in November, missing expectations for a rise to 0.6%.

Markit Economics released its final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the Eurozone on Monday. Eurozone's final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 53.2 in December from 52.8 in November, up from the preliminary reading of 53.1.

Production and employment grew in all countries.

"The end of 2015 saw the Eurozone manufacturing recovery gain further traction, with rates of expansion in production and new orders over the final quarter besting those of quarter three. The sector is therefore likely to make a meaningful positive contribution to the euro GDP numbers for quarter four," Rob Dobson, Senior Economist at Markit said.

Germany's final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) climbed to 53.2 in December from 52.9 in November, up from the preliminary reading of 53.0.

The index was driven by a rise in production and new orders. New export orders showed the strongest rise in nearly two years.

France's final manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 51.4 in December from 50.6 in November, down from the preliminary reading of 51.6. It was the highest level since March 2014.

The index was driven by a rise in output and new orders.

Markit Economics released its manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. on Monday. The Markit/Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply manufacturing PMI for the U.K. declined to 51.9 in December from 52.5 in November. November's figure was revised down from 52.7.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion.

The decline was driven by a slower pace of the growth in output and new orders.

"The UK manufacturing sector ended 2015 on a disappointing note, with its rate of growth slowing further from October's recent high back down towards the stagnation mark. This suggests that industry will make, at best, only a marginal positive contribution to broader economic growth in the final quarter of the year," Markit's Senior Economist Rob Dobson said.

The Bank of England (BoE) released its number of mortgages approvals for the U.K. on Monday. The number of mortgages approvals in the U.K. was up to 70,410 in November from 69,867 in October, exceeding expectations for an increase to 70,400. October's figure was revised up from 69,630.

Consumer credit in the U.K. rose by £1.476 billion in November, after a £1.207 billion gain in October. October's figure was revised down from £1.178 billion.

Net lending to individuals in the U.K. increased by £5.35 billion in November, after a £4.8 billion gain in October.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,093.43 -148.89 -2.39 %

DAX 10,283.44 -459.57 -4.28 %

CAC 40 4,522.45 -114.61 -2.47 %