In Europe on Thursday, profit-taking send the FTSE Eurofirst 300 down a bit from earlier three-year highs. The Eurofirst lost 0.3 percent to 1,195.9.

The technology sector fell on the news that US telecommunications equipment manufacturer Cisco lost value on a negative growth forecast and by reports of weaker sales of semiconductors in Germany.

German chipmaker Infineon lost 4.2 percent to €7.78. In addition, Finnish mobile phone operator Nokia was down 2.4 percent to €13.15 and STMicroelectronics declined by 2.1 percent to €13.76. The insurance sector was mostly down.

The exception was Dutch insurer Aegon, which announced second quarter profits that were up 71 percent and ended the day having gained 0.7 percent to €12.07.

Elsewhere, ING lost 2.2 percent to €24.56 on a drop of 6.7 in second quarter profits although they exceeded market expectations. CNP lost 2.5 percent to €56.15 and Sampo was down to €13.02, a loss of 2.3 percent.

Crude oil prices at record high levels sent the oil sector higher. Neste Oil added 3.9 percent to €24.50, Statoil gained 1.5 percent to NKr151.50, and Norsk Hydro was up 1.4 percent to NKr662.