European stocks declined

European stocks declined, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index heading for a second weekly loss, before a report on euro-area economic confidence. U.S. index futures and Asian shares rose.

The Stoxx 600 lost 0.3 percent to 299.35 at 8:37 a.m. in London. The measure has dropped 1.8 percent this week, heading for a 0.1 percent monthly loss, amid concern that the U.S. and its allies will take military action against Syria after Secretary of State John Kerry said his government will hold the Middle Eastern country accountable for using chemical weapons on its own people.

A report at 11 a.m. in Brussels may show euro area economic confidence rose to the highest level since March 2012. The index of executive and consumer sentiment climbed to 93.8 in August, from 92.5 in July, economists forecast in a survey.

Separate data in the U.S. may show business activity in the world’s biggest economy expanded in August. The MNI Chicago Report’s business barometer increased to 53 from 52.3 in July, economists predicted in a survey.

Royal KPN NV slid 5.2 percent after the company’s independent foundation yesterday exercised an option to acquire preferred shares in a bid to block America Movil SAB’s takeover offer.

Danone SA dropped 1.2 percent after saying baby-nutrition sales will fall in Asia in the third quarter.

FTSE 100 6,455.06 -27.99 -0.43%

CAC 40 3,965.18 -21.17 -0.53%

DAX 8,149.02 -45.53 -0.56%