European stocks close lower except French index

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - European stocks closed lower Thursday except for France.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, fell 0.94 point, or 0.21%, to finish at 446.22.

The UK's FTSE 100 decreased 67 points, or 0.89%, to end the session at 7,499. Germany's DAX 30, meanwhile, shed 5.8 points, or 0.04%, to 15,210.

Italy's FTSE MIB fell 41 points, or 0.16%, to 26,482 and Spain's IBEX 35 was down 39 points, or 0.44%, to end the day at 8,970.

France's CAC 40, on the other hand, increased 8 points, or 0.11%, to close at 7,139.