European markets were mostly higher, but the Dax dropped 0.06 percent to 7,507.27 in Frankfurt.
The FTSE Eurofirst 300 added 0.34 percent.
In Madrid, IBEX was up 0.29 percent to 14,334.4 while the Paris CAC-40 gained 0.83 percent to 5,569.38.
Banks and other financials service groups saw declines on the session.
Credit Agricole (Euronext: ACA) fell 0.11 percent to €27.49, while Societe Generale (Euronext: GLE) was down 0.33 percent to €119.24, Dexia (Euronext: DEXB; Euronext: DX) dropped 0.5 percent to €19.86 and BNP Paribas (Euronext: BNP; TYO: 8665) was down 0.88 percent to €77.71 for the worst performance on the CAC-40.
Commerzbank (FWB: CBK) was 1.01 percent lower to €29.40.
Insurer Allianz (FWB: ALV; NYSE: AZ) fell 0.92 percent to €157.22, while financial planner MLP (FWB: MLPG) had the worst day on the Dax with a decline of 2.67 percent to €12.02.
Truck manufacturer Man (FWB: EDF1) was the best performer on the Dax, adding 4.46 percent to €103.59.
Elsewhere in motor vehicle manufacturing, Peugeot (Euronext: UG; OTC: PEUGY) gained 1.55 percent to €61.11.
Other gainers included cement maker Lafarge, which was up 1.42 percent to €115.09, helped by a US Commerce Department report that showed new home sales gained 2.8 percent in July over the previous month.
In the oil sector, Total (Euronext: FP; NYSE: TOT) added 1.39 percent to €54.14 and Saipem (ISE: SPM) gained 3.9 percent to €26.33 as crude oil prices saw gains.