European stock markets closed lower Friday.

London's Financial Times-Stock Exchange 100 index dropped 27.60 points, or 0.53%, to 5,228.10.

Germany's DAX index fell 72.21 points, or 1.49%, to 4,783.80.

In Paris, the CAC 40 index fell 35.81 points, or 0.82%, moving to 4,342.7.

Asian markets finished higher Friday.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained 34.32 points, or 0.28%, to 12,439.48. Banking issues and shares of other companies that derive earnings primarily from the domestic economy continued to suffer from profit taking.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index gained 93.79 points, or 0.63%, to 14,982.89 as solid earnings reports from large-cap plays Hutchison Whampoa and China Unicom boosted sentiment.