European stock prices are down in midday trading Thursday.

London's Financial Times index and the DAX index in Frankfurt are down almost one-quarter of one percent while the CAC-40 in Paris is down one-fifth of one percent.

In New York, the S&P futures contract is up more than five points, indicating a higher opening.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost slightly more than one percent to finish at 8,682.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell just over one and three-quarters percent to finish the day's trading at 17,983.

Gold is trading at $1,625.13 an ounce.