European stocks declined

European stocks declined, paring the Stoxx Europe 600 Index’s second weekly gain, as investors awaited a report on U.S. retail sales, while America and Russia held talks on Syria. U.S. index futures were little changed, while Asian shares also retreated.

The Stoxx 600 fell from its highest level in more than five years yesterday as a report showed the euro area’s industrial output contracted more than forecast. The gauge has still advanced this week amid better-than-expected economic data from China and as U.S. President Barack Obama delayed a decision on military action against Syria.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Geneva to discuss a deal to remove Syria’s chemical weapons. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that the administration of President Barack Obama must stop its military threats and cease arming rebel groups for the nation to give up its chemical arsenal.

TDC A/S fell 2.9 percent as a shareholder offered a stake of 11 percent in Denmark’s biggest phone company.

Fresenius SE rose 4.1 percent after the health-care company’s Helios unit agreed to buy 43 hospitals from Rhoen-Klinikum AG.

Carlsberg A/S climbed 1.6 percent after forecasting sustained organic sales growth in China for the rest of the year.

FTSE 100 6,571.69 -17.29 -0.26%

CAC 40 4,100.17 -6.46 -0.16%

DAX 8,481.44 -12.56 -0.15%