European stocks drop before US jobs data

Europe's main stock markets slid on Monday, as investors took profits from pre-weekend gains, and miners and energy groups were hit by lower commodity prices, dealers said.In midday deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 0.61 percent at 5,290.17 points.Frankfurt's DAX 30 dropped 0.60 percent to 5,783.01 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 0.44 percent to 3,829.64 near the half-way stage.The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares declined 0.56 percent to 2,894.09 points.

Europe's leading stock markets dropped on Thursday, the eve of major US jobs figures, and as British investors awaited the Bank of England's latest decision on interest rates.London's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell by 0.29 percent to stand at 5,514.37 points in late morning deals.Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.83 percent to 5,984.19 points and in Paris the CAC 40 lost 0.50 percent to 3,997.85.The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares decreased 0.62 percent in value to reach 2,990.92 points.

Europe's main stock markets fell in morning deals on Tuesday owing to profit-taking after beginning the week sharply higher.London's FTSE 100 index of top shares dropped 0.13 percent to 5,348.85 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.23 percent to 5,788.18 points and in Paris the CAC 40 slid 0.31 percent to stand at 3,801.30.The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares lost 0.40 percent to 2,886.73 points."The drop in stocks this morning was probably expected after the strong rally yesterday," said ETX Capital senior trader Manoj Ladwa.

European stock markets fell on Thursday, as investors awaited an emergency eurozone summit set to discuss a new bailout deal for Greece amid a spreading eurozone debt crisis.London's FTSE 100 index of top shares dropped 0.46 percent to 5,826.78 points morning deals. Frankfurt's DAX 30 declined 0.68 percent to 7,172.34 points and in Paris the CAC 40 index shed 0.49 percent to 3,736.35.The Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies declined by 0.25 percent to 2,698.96 points.

Europe's main stock markets fell on Thursday, with London dragged down by a drop in British retail sales, dealers said.London's FTSE 100 index of top shares was down 0.25 percent at 5,541.74 points in midday trade.Frankfurt's DAX 30 dipped 0.06 percent to 6,258.13 points and in Paris the CAC 40 index shed 0.32 percent to 3,743.63.The Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies dropped 0.10 percent to 2,791.65 points.

Europe's main stock markets dipped on Monday in the wake of losses in Tokyo after Japan announced a slowing of its growth -- offsetting news of a mega-takeover involving the mining and energy sectors.The FTSE 100 index of top shares fell 0.25 percent to 5,262.67 points approaching midday trade in London.Frankfurt's DAX 30 slipped 0.15 percent to 6,103.67 points and in Paris the CAC 40 index dropped 0.73 percent to 3,585.13.The Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares declined by 0.72 percent in value to stand at 2,689.42 points.

European stock markets slid on Thursday as investors took profits from recent gains amid caution before the latest interest rate decision from the European Central Bank.London's FTSE 100 index of top shares dipped 0.16 percent to 5,358.38 points in late morning trade.Frankfurt's DAX 30 dropped 0.24 percent to 6,069.75 points and in Paris the CAC 40 index shed 0.17 percent to 3,617.84 points.The Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies declined 0.31 percent to 2,706.91 points.

Europe's main stock markets and the euro edged higher on Tuesday, thanks partly to receding concerns over the impact of unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, analysts said.London's FTSE 100 index of top shares rose 0.18 percent to 6,005.22 points nearing the half-way stage. The Paris CAC 40 added 0.27 percent to 4,122.89 points and Frankfurt's DAX 30 firmed 0.61 percent to 7,315.32 points.The pan-European Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone companies was up 0.26 percent to 3,031.79.