There were little changes seen in European stocks as the better-than-expected U.S. and Germany economic data was overshadowed by the uncertainty in Cyprus and a political deadlock in Italy.
After seeing a decline in four months the previous week, the Stoxx Europe 600 Index dropped 0.1%. The gauge of euro-areas lenders has still advanced 5% this quarter and traded to the highest level since June in 2008 as it gained a boost from the economic reports from the U.S. and the monetary stimulus from central banks.
Meanwhile, there is an increase in the benchmark Standard & Poor's 500 Index reaching above its record closing level in October 2007.
In February, orders of durable goods increased by the most in five months while the biggest year-over-year rise was seen in the S&P/Case- Schiller index of property values in 20 cities since June 2006.
Join the Conversation