European Stocks Trim Gains After IMF Leaves Greece Talks

European stock markets sharply trimmed gains in afternoon action on Thursday after the International Monetary Fund left negotiation talks with Greece. Gerry Rice, an IMF spokesman, said the technical team that was in Brussels to help broker a deal with Athens that would unlock more bailout funds, has returned to Washington as there was "no progress" in reaching an agreement. The Stoxx Europe 600 index traded 0.2% higher at 391,56, down from an intra-day high of 395.55. Germany's DAX 30 index was up 0.2% at 11,289.78, while France's CAC 40 index gained 0.5% to 4,958.63. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index was slightly lower at 6,829.10. Greece's Athex Composite Index was closed at the time of the news, having ended 8.2% higher at 823.16.