Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
Dutch retailer Ahold was a standout, adding 2.7 percent to 5.71 euros after agreeing to sell two US food retail chains for $660 million.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of pan-European blue chips closed unchanged at 1,041.3 points, having traded in a very narrow, 4-point range throughout the day.
The All-share index closed at 12,504.06 points, up 7.96 or 0.06 percent. The All Gold index closed at 1,605.65 points, down 18.69 or 1.15 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 9,643.36 points, up 21.09 or 0.22 percent.