European share prices are lower in midday trading today. London's Financial Times index is down nine points at 4,952. The CAC-40 in Paris is six points lower at 4,111, and the DAX index in Frankfurt is down ten points at 4,396.
The S&P futures contract is down less than one point.
Tokyo's Nikkei index lost 74 points to close at 11,564. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong closed down 27 points at 13,772.
The price of gold in London is 427 dollars, 20 cents an ounce, down 95 cents from late Wednesday
The dollar in London is higher against other major currencies.