12:08 PM EDT, 06/12/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European stock markets closed mostly lower in Thursday trading as the Stoxx Europe 600 dropped 0.33%, Germany's DAX was down 0.74%, the FTSE 100 gained 0.23%, France's CAC 40 fell 0.14% and the Swiss Market Index was up 0.1%.

European Union agricultural output prices increased by 2.6% in the first quarter of 2025, marking the second consecutive quarter of rises, with notable jumps in milk, egg, and cereal prices, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. This comes as the cost of agricultural inputs also saw a slight increase, the first since Q1 2023.

The number of bank offices across the EU continued to drop in 2024, with a 3.4% average decrease, while the total number of banking employees increased by 1.1%, suggesting a leveling off of the long-term decline, according to the European Central Bank. Banking sector concentration continues to vary widely across member states, with the five largest institutions holding an average of 68.61% of total assets at the EU level.

In Britain, construction output rose by 0.9% in April, marking the third consecutive month of growth, driven by increases in both new work as well as repair and maintenance, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Producer prices for agricultural products in Germany rose by 3.2% in April compared to the previous year, driven by a significant 9.8% increase in prices for animals and animal products, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Plant product prices declined 6.3% year-on-year, primarily due to a substantial drop in table potato prices.

Remy Cointreau shares were up 4.6%. Negotiators for French cognac producers have proposed minimum export prices ranging from $20 to $300 per liter to China, aiming to de-escalate a tariff dispute, Reuters reported Thursday, citing a document. This move is a strategic bid to avert permanent tariffs of up to 39% as anti-dumping investigations by China's commerce ministry continue.