Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
Energy stocks rose along with crude oil prices after data showed a steeper-than-expected drop in US crude oil inventories. Royal Dutch Shell gained 2.2 percent, and Total added 0.4 percent.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.4 percent lower at 1,482.49 points. Europe's benchmark index is now down a thin 0.04 percent on the year, on track to record its worst yearly performance since 2002.