Some European stock prices are lower in midday trading Friday.

London's Financial Times index is down 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 up more than one-quarter of one percent.

In New York, the S&P futures contract is down more than six points, indicating a lower opening.

Tokyo's Nikkei index index gained over one and one-quarter percent to finish at 9,050.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained more than one and one-half percent to finish the day's trading at 20,019.

Gold is trading at $1,739.82 an ounce.

The dollar is mixed in trading against other major currencies.