European share indexes closed weaker on Tuesday as mixed company results and uncertainty on the economic outlook kept investors nervous, despite forecast-beating profits from oil major BP. Helping keep European losses in check, Wall Street was treading water after surprisingly strong housing market data and a further fall in oil prices. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of pan-European blue chips closed 0.3 percent lower at 1,073.5 points, erasing Monday's gains. The narrower DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index fell 0.1 percent to 2,983.2 points. Debate about the health of the global economy, and in particular the U.S. economy, has divided opinion among investors and strategists in recent weeks, leading to volatile trading. Some investors are shifting their portfolios in favour of more defensive, value sectors such as utilities and consumer staples and away from more cyclical, growth sectors such as technology and materials. However, JP Morgan said it was sticking to growth over value. --More 2249 Local Time 1949 GMT
