BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The German market is in negative territory on Thursday, after the country's factory orders increased less than expected, ahead of the key interest rate decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England.
German factory orders recovered in September on higher foreign demand, Destatis reported. Factory orders increased 0.8 percent month-on-month in September following August's 4.2 percent fall. However, it was slower than an expected 2.2 percent expansion.
U.K. industrial production growth exceeded expectations in September. Industrial output grew 0.6 percent in September from August, when it was down by 0.1 percent, the Office for National Statistics reported. Production was forecast to grow only 0.4 percent.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks is losing 0.43 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, is falling 0.41 percent.
The DAX index is currently losing 0.29 percent.
Lanxess is falling 2.3 percent after reporting third-quarter results.
Reinsurer MunichRe, which announced financial results, is down 1.7 percent.
Business software maker SAP and healthcare company Bayer are falling 1.1 percent each.
Meanwhile, HeidelbergCement is surging 5.7 percent, after reporting increased revenues for the third quarter.
Nivea maker Beiersdorf, which confirmed annual outlook, is climbing 7.2 percent.
Adidas is up 4.2 percent. The sports goods giant reported better-than-expected results.
Other markets in the region are also in the red.
The Asian stocks put in an indecisive performance, as investors looked ahead to the rate-setting meetings by both the European Central Bank and Bank of England later in the day and awaited more U.S. economic data, including Friday's jobs report.
In the U.S., futures point to a lower open on Wall Street. In the previous session, stocks closed mostly higher overnight, as crude prices rebounded from four-year lows. While the Dow and the S&P 500 rose around 0.6 percent each to fresh record closing highs, the tech-heavy Nasdaq edged down marginally.
Crude for December delivery is gaining $0.15 to $78.83 per barrel, while gold is down $0.7 at $1145.0 a troy ounce.
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