European stock markets mid session: stocks traded slightly lower ahead of the release of the U.S. labour market data

Stock indices traded slightly lower ahead of the release of the U.S. labour market data. Analysts expect that U.S. unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 5.3% in July. The U.S. economy is expected to add 218,000 jobs in July, after adding 223,000 jobs in June.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mixed. German industrial production dropped 1.4% in June, missing expectations for a 0.3% gain, after a 0.2% rise in May. It was the biggest decline since August 2014.

May's figure was revised up from a flat reading.

The output of capital goods plunged 2.6% in June, energy output climbed 2.3%, and the production in the construction sector was down 4.5%, while the production of intermediate goods fell 0.3%.

The output of consumer goods decreased 0.2%.

Germany's seasonally adjusted trade surplus was €22.0 billion in June.

Exports fell at a seasonally and calendar-adjusted 1.0% in June, while imports declined 0.5%.

According to the French Customs, France's trade deficit narrowed to €2.66 billion in June from €4.0 billion in May. It was the lowest level since March 2007.

The decline in deficit was driven by a rise in exports of transport equipment.

Industrial production in France fell 0.1% in June, missing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a 0.4% gain in May.

The decline was driven by a drop in manufacturing and construction output. Manufacturing output was down 0.7% in June, while construction output decreased 2.5%.

On a yearly basis, the French industrial production rose 1.0% in June, after a 1.6% gain in May. May's figure was revised down from a 2.4% increase.

The U.K. Office for National Statistics (ONS) released trade data for the U.K. on Friday. The U.K. trade deficit in goods widened to £9.2 billion in June from £8.4 billion in May. May's figure was revised up from a deficit of £8.00 billion.

The rise in the trade deficit was driven by a weaker demand in the Eurozone and a stronger pound.

The total trade deficit, including services, widened to £1.60 billion in June from £0.89 billion in May. May's figure was revised up from a deficit of £0.39 billion.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,745.15 -1.94 0.0%

DAX 11,568.35 -16.75 -0.1 %

CAC 40 5,185.98 -6.13 -0.1 %