| 24 Feb 05: European Stocks Lower Midday European share prices are mostly lower in midday trading today (Thursday) . London's Financial Times index is up two points at 4,990. The CAC-40 in Paris is five points lower at 3,971, and the DAX index in Frankfurt is down 12 points at 4,298. The S&P futures contract is down almost two points, indicating a lower opening for U.S. stocks. Tokyo's Nikkei index rose 31 points to finish at 11,531. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index advanced 103 points to finish at 14,061. The price of gold in London is 434 dollars, 75 cents an ounce, up two dollars, 45 cents from late Tuesday. The dollar (in London) is mixed against other major currencies. | |||||||||