The European stock markets closed mostly higher in Tuesday trading as The Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.24%, Germany's DAX was up 0.34%, the FTSE 100 increased 0.64%, France's CAC 40 advanced 0.56%, and the Swiss Market Index was off 0.13%.

The European Commission said its consumer confidence indicator fell for the second straight month in April to its lowest level in 18 months. The indicator dropped 2.1 percentage points in the European Union and 2.2 percentage points in the euro area to -16.0 and -16.7 points, respectively.

And in corporate news, Shell is wrapping up survey work at Venezuela's offshore Dragon field before a US deadline to cease activities tied to expiring energy licenses, Reuters reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Shell did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

Shares of Shell were off 0.30% on the FTSE.

Barclays, Citigroup and KKR Capital Markets are backing $1.7 billion in debt financing for KKR's $3.1 billion acquisition of post-trade services firm OSTTRA, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Barclays did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

Shares of Barclays closed 1% higher in London.

Unilever may halt its annual funding, which amounts to around $5 million, to the Ben & Jerry's Foundation unless it agrees to a fast-tracked audit of its donations, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

Shares of Unilever rose 1.4% on the FTSE.