Global stocks end down on Europe worries

US stocks closed slightly lower on Monday, as lingering questions about Europe and corporate earnings overshadowed growing optimism about economic growth after a five-week rally.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 18.62 points, or 0.14 percent, at 12,843.61. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 0.72 points, or 0.05 percent, at 1,344.18. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 3.67 points, or 0.13 percent, at 2,901.99.

European shares ended lower as worries grew about a messy Greek debt default, with political leaders in Greece yet to decide on the terms of a second bailout.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed down 0.1 percent at 1,075.19 points, above its 61.8 percent Fibonacci retracement at 1,062.24 from its February 2011 high to its September 2011 low.

The Nikkei average closed at a three-month high, shrugging off a disappointing earnings season for Japanese firms as robust jobs data boosted confidence in an economic recovery in the United States.

The forecast-beating jobs numbers have lowered the chance of further stimulus by the US Federal Reserve and supported the dollar against the yen.

The Nikkei advanced 1.1 percent to 8,929.20 and the broader Topix added 1.2 percent to 769.85.