Stock indices in major European markets fell on Friday ahead of the opening bell in New York, with losses intensifying from the session's start. The FTSE 100 dropped 1.89% at 2:19 p.m. CET in London, with all constituents in the red except for Randgold, which struggled for gains. The biggest hit was taken by Mondi, Prudential and Tesco, all down over 3.5%.

The CAC 40 shed 2.01% at 2:22 p.m. CET, where Axa led the down camp with 4.13% in negative territory. LafargeHolcim followed with a fall of 3.68% and Societe Generale dipped 3.19%. At the same time, German DAX index was 2.29% in the hole. Lufthansa held at the bottom of performances list, bleeding 5.5% in capitalisation. ThyssenKrupp, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank slud between 3% and 4%.

Gold returned losses from earlier in the day and changed hands slightly above the flat line, for $1,270,21 per fine ounce at 2:42 p.m. CET. The euro retreated 0.11% compared to the dollar and waned 0.34% against the franc.

Image: Arne Dedert