Investing.com – European stocks erased early gains on Thursday, turning lower after losses in the construction sector, while U.S. futures indices pointed down ahead of key U.S. employment data.
During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 shed 0.19%; France’s CAC 40 fell 0.24% while Germany's DAX was down 0.29%.
Shares in Swiss cement maker Holcim tumbled 4.36% after the company reported second-quarter profits that disappointed expectations, saying that economic conditions in Europe remained difficult.
Meanwhile, shares in rival cement companies also fell with Paris based Lafarge down 1.61% and Germany's HeidelbergCement tumbling 1.91%.
In London, the FTSE 100 was down 0.27% as shares in United Utilities Group shed 1.70% and shares in communications company Inmarsat fell 2.76% after analysts downgraded their recommendations on the shares.
Earlier in the day, official data showed that Britain posted a smaller-than-expected budget deficit in July.
The outlook for U.S. equity markets, meanwhile, was downbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a slide of 0.30%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a loss of 0.35% and Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a decrease of 0.55%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to produce key data on initial jobless claims.
During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 shed 0.19%; France’s CAC 40 fell 0.24% while Germany's DAX was down 0.29%.
Shares in Swiss cement maker Holcim tumbled 4.36% after the company reported second-quarter profits that disappointed expectations, saying that economic conditions in Europe remained difficult.
Meanwhile, shares in rival cement companies also fell with Paris based Lafarge down 1.61% and Germany's HeidelbergCement tumbling 1.91%.
In London, the FTSE 100 was down 0.27% as shares in United Utilities Group shed 1.70% and shares in communications company Inmarsat fell 2.76% after analysts downgraded their recommendations on the shares.
Earlier in the day, official data showed that Britain posted a smaller-than-expected budget deficit in July.
The outlook for U.S. equity markets, meanwhile, was downbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a slide of 0.30%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a loss of 0.35% and Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a decrease of 0.55%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to produce key data on initial jobless claims.