The European stock markets closed lower in Monday trading as The Stoxx Europe fell 0.55%, Germany's DAX lost 0.41%, the FTSE in London was down 0.29%, France's CAC declined 0.30%, and the Swiss Market Index dropped 0.76%.

The household saving rate in the euro area declined to 15.3% in Q3 of 2024 from 15.6% in Q3, according to Eurostat, which also said the household investment rate in the euro area decreased to 9.1% from 9.2% in Q3.

Eurostat also reported that the European Union's trade surplus declined to 106.0 billion euros ($108.2 billion) in Q3 from Q2 and rose from 99.4 billion euros a year earlier.

In Switzerland, the consumer sentiment index increased to -30 points in December from -46 a year earlier, according to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. The index reading topped analyst forecasts of -38, according to Bloomberg.

And in corporate news, GSK said Monday that it has agreed to acquire oncology company IDRx for up to $1.15 billion. Shares of the British pharmaceutical giant fell 1.7% on the FTSE.

Ryanair called on European Union authorities Monday to limit the number of alcoholic drinks passengers can have in airports before they board a plane. The announcement came after it disclosed that a "disruptive passenger" cost the Irish airline 15,350 euros ($15,646) when the plane had to divert to Porto, Portugal to remove the passenger. Shares of Ryanair declined 1.5% in London.

Real estate stocks were slumping in Monday's trading session on the European bourses as online property marketplace Rightmove and homebuilder Persimmon fell 3.2% and 2% respectively on the FTSE, while German residential real estate firm Vonovia closed 1.4% lower in Frankfurt. And in Paris, commercial real estate firm Unibail-Rodamco led the decliners on the CAC, falling 3.3%.