Europe stocks decline as investors assess weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs report

European stock markets declined Friday, as investors assessed a key U.S. jobs report showing a weaker-than-expected labor market.

The regional Stoxx 600

 index closed down 0.2%, giving up gains from earlier in the day.

The August jobs report out Friday showed nonfarm payrolls increased by just 22,000 for the month, well below the 75,000 expected by economists surveyed by Dow Jones.

Declines in the U.S. dollar provided an initial sign that investors saw continued support for an upcoming cut, with the euro and sterling both last trading around 0.8% higher against the greenback.