European Markets Lower After Investor Sentiment Declines Unexpectedly

(RTTNews) - The European markets are mostly lower on Monday, after Eurozone investor sentiment declined unexpectedly in December from a two-and-a-half year high.

A monthly survey by the think tank Sentix showed that the confidence index came in at 8 points in December, down from 9.3 in November. The reading was forecast to rise to 10.3. The assessment of current situation declined sharply to -6.3 from -3.3 in November.

Further, Germany's trade surplus declined more than expected in October, data from the Federal Statistical Office revealed. The trade surplus fell to 17.9 billion euros in October from 20.3 billion euros in September. Economists expected a decline to 18.3 billion euros.

After strong U.S. jobs figures released on Friday, official Chinese data released over the weekend showed that the nation's trade surplus increased to $33.80 billion in November from $31.1 billion in the previous month. Exports jumped 12.7 percent, up from 5.6 percent in the previous month and beating forecasts for a 7 percent rise.

Another government report showed that consumer prices in China rose 3.0 percent year-over-year in November, falling below expectations for an increase of 3.2 percent amid a slowdown in food price inflation.

The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks is falling 0.13 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, is losing 0.25 percent.

The German DAX is gaining 0.3 percent. The French CAC 40 and Switzerland's SMI are dropping around 0.2 percent, while the UK's FTSE 100 is losing 0.1 percent.

On the DAX, RWE is gaining 1.3 percent and peer E.ON is advancing 0.8 percent.

Merck is up 1.3 percent. S&P Capital raised the stock to ''Hold'' from ''Sell.''

Tom Tailor is losing 3.3 percent. Berenberg cut the stock to ''Hold'' from ''Buy.''

In Paris, Danone is losing 1.4 percent after Exane BNP cut the stock to ''Underperform'' from ''Neutral.''

Vivendi and Technip are falling 1.3 percent each.

Merrill Lynch raised its rating on GDF Suez to ''Buy'' from ''Neutral.'' The stock is gaining 2.8 percent.

In London, Fresnillo is losing 3.7 percent. Vedanta and Randgold Resources are falling 2 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively.

Tullow Oil is losing 2.8 percent. The energy firm, which issued an update on its East Africa Exploration, said a well in the South Omo block onshore Ethiopia would be plugged and abandoned as a dry hole.

Kentz said it has entered into an agreement to acquire the US-based Valerus field solutions business for $435 million in cash. The stock is surging by over 10 percent.

Lloyds Banking Group said it has agreed to sell a portfolio of UK corporate real estate loans to Promontoria Holding 87 B.V., for 90 million pounds in cash, as part of the group's continued non-core asset reduction program. The stock is little changed.

The Asian stocks ended mostly higher, with upbeat data out of the U.S. and China, and a weaker yen underpinning sentiment.

In the U.S., futures point to a cautious open on Wall Street. In the previous session, stocks rose sharply as a stronger-than-expected jobs report and upbeat consumer sentiment data fueled hopes that the U.S. economy can withstand the winding back of Federal Reserve stimulus. The Dow rose 1.3 percent, the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 0.7 percent and the S&P 500 added 1.1 percent.

Crude for January delivery is adding $0.22 to $97.87 per barrel, while February gold is down $1.2 at $1227.8 a troy ounce.