European Markets Mixed Amid Weak Data

(RTTNews) - The European markets have turned mixed on Thursday afternoon, after weak economic data from the region dampened investor sentiment, amid lingering geo-political concerns.

Data showed that German economy contracted more-than-expected in the second quarter on weaker exports and investment, while France stagnated for the second straight time, forcing the government to discard its 2014 deficit target.

Meanwhile, Eurozone inflation slowed as initially estimated in July to the lowest since late 2009, final figures from Eurostat showed. he euro area growth slowed to 0.7 percent in the second quarter from 0.9 percent in the first quarter, matching economists' expectations.

The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks is losing 0.10 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, is rising 0.17 percent.

The German DAX and the French CAC 40 are falling around 0.1 percent each. Switzerland's SMI and the UK's FTSE 100 are up modestly.

In Frankfurt, RWE is losing 3.6 percent. The utility reported unimpressive first-half results, hit by the mild winter that led to low demand for heating, as well as low prices on the electricity markets.

K+S is losing 3.2 percent. The potash maker said first-half loss widened from last year, amid a decline in revenues.

ThyssenKrupp is gaining 1.8 percent. The steel maker turned to profit in the third quarter.

TUI climbed 4 percent after underlying profit for the third quarter increased significantly from last year.

In Paris, Alcatel Lucent is falling 2 percent and Kering is losing 1.3 percent. Goldman Sachs cut Kering to ''Neutral'' from ''Sell.''

Goldman Sachs reduced its rating on LVMH to ''Neutral" from "Buy.'' The stock is down 1 percent.

BNP Paribas and Societe Generale are falling around 1 percent each.

Meanwhile, EDF is gaining 2.3 percent and Lafarge is up 1.3 percent.

In London, construction firm Carillion is gaining 7 percent. The company announced first-half results as well as details about its offer for Balfour Beatty that was rejected by the infrastructure group recently. Balfour Beatty is up over 1 percent.

TUI Travel is gaining 2 percent and Petrofac is adding 1.4 percent.

Land Securities and Intu Properties are advancing around 1.2 percent each.

Rio Tinto is losing 2.1 percent and Glencore Xstrata is falling 1.3 percent.

The Asian stocks ended mixed after three days of gains.

In the U.S., futures point to a slightly higher open on Wall Street. In the previous session, stocks rose notably overnight despite a weaker-than-expected report on retail sales and some disappointing earnings reports. The Dow rose 0.6 percent, the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained a percent and the S&P 500 advanced 0.7 percent.

Crude for September delivery is falling $0.26 to $97.33 per barrel, while gold is adding $1.9 to $1316.4 a troy ounce.