European stocks declined for a third day

European stocks declined for a third day as investors weighed valuations before U.S. jobs data this week that may help gauge the timing of a reduction in Federal Reserve stimulus. U.S. index futures were also little changed, while Asian shares outside Japan retreated.

Investors will on Dec. 6 get the latest reading on U.S. non-farm payrolls for November, and data may show the unemployment rate slipped to 7.2 percent, matching the lowest level in five years. A private jobs report tomorrow may show U.S. employers added the most workers since June. The Fed has said it will monitor labor-market gains before deciding when to pare its $85 billion of monthly bond purchases.

The European Central Bank and the Bank of England meet this week. Both banks will announce policy decisions on Dec. 5.

ThyssenKrupp fell 0.9 percent to 17.48 euros. The German steelmaker sold 51.4 million new shares at 17.15 euros apiece. The stock yesterday fell the most since August 2011 after the company said it would increase its capital by 10 percent of its market value.

Sonova lost 1.7 percent to 123.20 Swiss francs. Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock to equal weight, similar to a neutral recommendation, from overweight. New product releases from competitors such as GN Store Nord A/S and William Demant Holding A/S may affect revenue growth, Morgan Stanley said.

FTSE 100 6,536.6 -58.73 -0.89%

CAC 40 4,213.85 -71.96 -1.68%

DAX 9,303.32 -98.64 -1.05%