European stock markets mid session: stocks traded lower on worries over the global slowdown

Stock indices traded lower on worries over the global slowdown. The Chinese stocks traded lower today, adding to concerns over a slowdown in the Chinese economy.

The Fed released its latest minutes on Wednesday. Fed officials agreed at the July monetary policy meeting that the economy is approaching the point when the central bank needs to increase interest rates, but they were concerned about the weak inflation and a slowdown in the global economy.

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) has approved the €26 billion first tranche of the third bailout for Greece on Thursday. The ESM said that it transferred €13 billion immediately.

Greece has repaid €3.2 billion to the European Central Bank (ECB) after receiving the first tranche.

German PPI producer prices were flat in July, after a 0.1% decline in June.

On a yearly basis, German PPI dropped 1.3% in July, after a 1.4% fall in June.

The Office for National Statistics released its retail sales data for the U.K. on Thursday. Retail sales in the U.K. increased 0.1% in July, missing expectations for a 0.4% rise, after a 0.1% decline in June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.2% fall.

The slower growth was partly driven by higher sales of electrical appliances, furniture and other household goods.

Sales of household goods climbed 3.6% in July, while sales at department stores rose 1.6%.

Food sales fell 0.2% in July, while sales of clothing and footwear slid 1.5%.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. climbed 4.2% in July, missing forecasts of 4.4% increase, after a 4.2% rise in June. June's figure was revised up from a 4.0% gain.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,381.82 -21.63 -0.34 %

DAX 10,579.96 -102.19 -0.96 %

CAC 40 4,841.9 -42.20 -0.86 %