European stock markets were sharply lower in midday trading Friday.

London's Financial Times 100 index was down 1.80 percent , to 5,103. The CAC-40 in Paris fell 2.22 percent , to 2,960. And the DAX in Frankfurt dropped 3.10 percent , at 5,465.

The S&P futures contract was down 15 points, indicating a lower opening for U.S. markets.

In Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei index was unchanged , to close at 8,700.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 2.32 percent , to end at 17,592.

Gold was trading at $1,626.91 an ounce.

The U.S. dollar slipped against other major currencies.