Major stock indices in Europe trading lower

European stocks started in the green zone but soon moved into negative territory. The pressure on the indices put renewed rise in bond yields and falling oil prices. Investors' attention is also focused on corporate accountability and the political situation in the United States.

A slight effect on the dynamics of trade had statistical data from the UK. The Office for National Statistics reported that the unemployment rate declined in the first three months after Brexit, reaching at the same time the lowest value in the last 11 years. According to the data, in the period from July to September, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 percent from 4.9 percent in the previous three-month period. Meanwhile, the number of employed increased by 49,000 in the period from July to September, which is the weakest increase since January-February this year. The report also showed that the number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose in October by 9800, recording the largest increase since May. The number of applications for the previous month was revised to 5600 compared with the original estimate of 700. The ONS said that the total income of workers, including bonuses, increased by 2.3 percent per annum in the period from July to September. Last rate of growth coincided with a change in the previous three months. Economists had expected an increase of 2.4 percent. Excluding bonuses, earnings rose by 2.4 per cent per annum, registering the fastest growth during the year and confirming experts' assessments.

The composite index of the largest companies in the region Stoxx Europe Index 600 added 0.1 percent. Earlier today, the index showed an increase of 0.6 percent.

Capitalization of Prudential rose 1.8 percent after the insurer said it will increase the dividend on the background of the jump in sales in Asia.

Bouygues shares rose 4.9 percent, as the French conglomerate reported a higher-than-expected net profit for the first nine months of this year.

Bayer shares fell by 5 percent, pulling down shares of chemical companies.

The price of Wirecard securities, a German operator of payment systems, rose by 6.5 percent as profit forecasts for 2017 exceeded the estimates of some analysts.

Electrolux quotes jumped 1.4 percent after data showed that US shipments of household appliances rose in October. Recall, the Swedish manufacturer of dishwashers and cookers gets about a third of its revenue from North America.

Hugo Boss AG shares fell 7 percent, as the company warned of slowing the expansion of its store network.

At the moment:

FTSE 100 6778.48 -14.26 -0.21%

DAX -31.82 10703.32 -0.30%

CAC 40 4521.57 -14.96 -0.33%