Global stocks slip on world growth worries

US stocks ended slightly lower on Monday as fatigue set in after a six-day rally and disappointing Japanese growth data provided a fresh reminder of the headwinds facing the global economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended down 38.52 points, or 0.29 percent, at 13,169.43. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 1.76 points, or 0.13 percent, at 1,404.11. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 1.66 points, or 0.05 percent, at 3,022.52.

European shares took their sharpest fall in more than a week in thin volumes, as worries over a global economic slowdown and the euro zone debt crisis hit equity markets which have rallied on expectations of new stimulus measures.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index closed down 0.4 percent at 1,094.74 points - its biggest intraday fall since ending down 1.2 percent on Aug. 2.

In Asia, Nikkei share average barely flinched today as investors shrugged off data showing lower-than-expected gross domestic product growth but held off from selling on hopes of stimulus measures to boost growth. The Nikkei dipped 0.1 percent to 8885.15, stifled as August's event calendar hit a lull and Japanese holidays this week thinned out volumes. The broader Topix closed flat at 746.95.