LONDON (dpa-AFX) - The UK market was in negative territory on Friday, ahead of the key monthly jobs data from the U.S. Economists expect the report to show an increase of about 190,000 jobs in October following the addition of 142,000 jobs in September. The unemployment rate is expected to dip to 5.0 percent from 5.1 percent.
In economic news, Germany's industrial production decreased unexpectedly in September, data from Destatis revealed. Industrial production declined 1.1 percent in September from August, when it fell by revised 0.6 percent. Economists had forecast a 0.5 percent increase.
The French trade deficit increased to a four-month high in September due to a fall in exports, the customs office said. The trade shortfall came in at 3.38 billion euros in September compared to 2.97 billion euros in the prior month. It was forecast to rise to 3.05 billion euros.
U.K. industrial production declined in September, while manufacturing output growth doubled from August, data from the Office for National Statistics showed. Industrial production dropped 0.2 percent in September from August, when it was up 0.9 percent. It was expected to fall marginally by 0.1 percent.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks fell 0.32 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, dropped 0.65 percent.
The FTSE 100 index was down 0.07 percent.
BHP Billiton declined 4.3 percent as its mining dam collapsed in Brazil, killing about 16 people in flooding.
Burberry Group and Capital dropped 1.8 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.
On the other hand, CRH climbed 4 percent and International Consolidated Airlines gained 2.8 percent.
Inmarsat, which reported financial results, was up 2.5 percent.
Other markets in the region were also apprehensive.
Most Asian stocks put up a lackluster performance on Friday even as Chinese and Japanese shares continued to rally on recent remarks by President Xi Jinping and further weakness in the yen.
In the U.S., futures point to a guarded open on Wall Street. In the previous session, stocks fell marginally, as falling oil prices, broad dollar strength, sinking bonds on rate-hike expectations and mixed quarterly results dampened investor mood.
Crude for December delivery rose $0.21 to $45.41 per barrel, while December gold advanced $3.3 to $1107.5 a troy ounce.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX