PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The European markets are in negative territory on Thursday, after German 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 0.44 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, is falling 0.66 percent.
The German DAX is losing 0.15 percent, the French CAC 40 is falling 0.32 percent and the FTSE 100 index of the U.K. is down 0.30 percent. Switzerland's SMI is falling 0.43 percent.
In Frankfurt, 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.
In Paris, Credit Agricole is declining 5.7 percent and Societe Generale is losing 2.3 percent. BNP Paribas is moderately lower. Credit Agricole and Societe Generale announced financial results today.
Legrand, which reported 9-month results, is losing 4.2 percent.
Meanwhile, Technip is gaining 3.3 percent and Veolia Environnement is rising close to 3 percent.
In London, Smith & Nephew is losing 3.2 percent and RSA Insurance is down 2.9 percent.
AstraZeneca is falling close to 3 percent. The UK-based drug maker said third-quarter profit declined from the prior year, amid hefty charges. Revenue improved year over year, reflecting the continuing strength of acid-reflux pill Nexium.
Wm. Morrison Supermarkets is gaining 6.5 percent. The company said it is looking forward to the key Christmas period, and that it remains confident in fiscal 2015 profit outlook.
J Sainsbury and marks & Spencer jumped 5.3 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively. Tesco also is up 3.4 percent.
Swisscom is up around 3 percent in Zurich. The company said profit increased for the nine-month period, amid a modest rise in revenues.
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 losing $0.28 to $78.40 per barrel, while gold is down $1.7 at $1144.0 a troy ounce.
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