European share prices are lower in midday trading Wednesday.
London's Financial Times index is down 17 points at 4,902.
The CAC-40 in Paris is 18 points lower at 4,064, and the DAX index in Frankfurt is down 22 points at 4,330.
The S&P futures contract is up more than two points, indicating a higher opening for U.S. stocks.
Tokyo's Nikkei index lost 34 points to finish at 11,566.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 14 points to end at 13,426.
The price of gold in London is 426 dollars and 20 cents an ounce, up 25 cents from Tuesday.
The dollar in London is lower against other major currencies.
