PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The European markets are in negative territory on Thursday, after Germany's unemployment increased unexpectedly and Eurozone economic confidence weakened more-than-expected in August.
Data released by the Federal Labor Agency showed that the number of people out of work in Germany increased by a seasonally adjusted 2,000 to 2.901 million in August. Economists expected a decline of 5,000 after decreasing 12,000 in July.
Meanwhile, Eurozone's economic confidence index fell to 100.6 in August from 102.1 in July, the European Commission said. The indicator was forecast to drop moderately to 101.5. Worsened sentiment resulted from deterioration in retail trade, consumer, industry and services confidence.
Data on EU harmonized inflation in Germany is expected at 8 ET. It is expected to remain unchanged at 0.8 percent in August.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks is losing 1.11 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, is falling 0.72 percent.
The German DAX is declining 1.3 percent and the French CAC 40 is falling 1.1 percent. Switzerland's SMI is falling 0.7 percent and the UK's FTSE 100 is losing 0.46 percent.
In Frankfurt, Lufthansa is declining close to 2 percent, after its subsidiary Germanwings' pilots announced plan to strike on August 29 to attain their demands for better early retirement provisions.
Deutsche Bank is falling 1.7 percent and Commerzbank is dropping 1.1 percent.
Meanwhile, Draegerwerk is gaining 1.5 percent after Berenberg raised the stock to 'Buy' from 'Hold.'
In Paris, Gemalto is declining 3 percent. The security-software maker's first-half revenues missed estimates.
Veolia Environment, which reported first-half results, is losing 1.9 percent.
Societe Generale and Credit Agricole are falling 2 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively. BNP Paribas is moderately lower.
Vivendi is down 1 percent. The firm said it received two binding offers for its Global Village Telecom or GVT unit in Brazil, from Telecom Italia S.p.A and Spanish telecom operator Telefonica SA .
Essilor International, which announced first-half results, is gaining 5 percent.
Pernod-Ricard is notably higher. The company reported full year results today.
In London, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Antofagasta and BHP Billiton are losing between 3.4 percent and 2 percent, amid weak iron ore prices.
St. James Place is losing 2.4 percent and Sports Direct is falling 2 percent.
Credit Suisse raised CRH to 'Outperform' from 'Underperform.' The stock is up 1.4 percent.
Telecom Italia is falling 0.6 percent in Milan and Telefonica is down 0.7 percent in Madrid.
The Asian markets closed mixed, with the Indian, Malaysian, Indonesian and Taiwanese markets advancing, while the rest of the markets moved to the downside.
In the U.S., futures point to a lower open on Wall Street. In the previous session, the S&P 500 added a fraction, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose less than 0.1 percent. The Nasdaq declined 1.02 points.
Crude for October delivery is declining $0.17 to $93.71 per barrel, while gold is gaining $10.3 to $1293.7 a troy ounce.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX