Global stocks weak ahead of European growth data

Global stock markets were mostly lower Thursday ahead of quarterly European growth figures that investors hope will show a strengthening economic recovery, AP reported. European stocks turned lower after briefly trading in positive territory. Germany's DAX was down 0.1 percent to 9,743.35 and France's CAC 40 declined 0.3 percent to 4,488.09. Britain's FTSE 100 edged down 0.1 percent to 6,869.46. Wall Street appeared set for losses, with the Dow and S&P 500 futures contracts both down 0.1 percent. Earlier in Asia, robust quarterly growth figure in Japan failed to boost sentiment. Investors reduced risky assets following a pullback in U.S. stocks from record levels. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock index fell 0.8 percent to 14,298.21 despite the government reporting that the economy expanded at an annualized 5.9 percent in the first quarter, the fastest pace in nearly three years. China's Shanghai Composite fell 1.1 percent to 2,024.97. Southeast Asian markets were mostly down. But Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.3 percent to 5,510.80 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.7 percent to 22,730.86. South Korea's Kospi was little changed at 2,010.20. In the energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude for June delivery was down 36 cents to $102.01 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained 67 cents Wednesday to $102.37. In currencies, the euro edged down to $1.3667 from $1.3717 late Wednesday. The dollar advanced to 101.86 yen from 101.81 yen.