European stock prices are lower in midday trading Wednesday.

London's Financial Times index is down more than one-quarter of one percent. The CAC-40 in Paris is down nearly one-quarter of one percent, and trading on the DAX index in Frankfurt is down more than one-quarter of one percent.

In New York, the S&P futures contract is down one point, indicating a lower opening.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,720.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish the day's trading at 23,626.

Gold is trading at $1,532.95 an ounce.

The dollar is trading lower against other major currencies.