European stocks slipped from the highest level in more than five years as the region’s industrial output contracted more than forecast.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slipped 0.1 percent to 310.66 at 4:32 p.m. in London, having swung between gains and losses at least 25 times. The gauge climbed to the highest level since June 2008 yesterday as U.S. President Barack Obama postponed a decision on military action against Syria. The measure has soared 11 percent in 2013 as central banks around the world maintained their stimulus programs.

Euro-area industrial output contracted more than economists forecast in July as manufacturers struggled to shake off the legacy of a record-long recession. Factory production in the region fell 1.5 percent from June, when it gained 0.6 percent, the European Union’s statistics office said today. That’s more than the 0.3 percent contraction forecast by economists, according to the median of estimates.

Still, international investors are gaining confidence in the European economy and many see the region among the best to invest, according to the latest Global Poll. Forty percent of the responding investors, analysts and traders said the euro-area economy is improving, more than four times the number in May. The European Union offers one of the best investment opportunities for 34 percent of those polled, up from 18 percent in May and the most since that question was first asked in October 2009.

National benchmark indexes declined in 12 of the 18 western European markets today.

FTSE 100 6,588.98 +0.55 +0.01% CAC 40 4,106.63 -12.48 -0.30% DAX 8,494 -1.73 -0.02%

Sanofi slid 2.8 percent to 72.23 euros in Paris. The company withdrew the application for U.S. approval of an experimental drug called lixisenatide in a delay to the company’s effort to bolster sales of diabetes medicines in the world’s biggest pharmaceutical market.

Zealand Pharma A/S, the Danish company that licensed the drug to Sanofi, plunged 15 percent to 66 kroner, the biggest drop in seven months.

Richemont declined 2.6 percent to 91 Swiss francs. The world’s largest jewelry maker said revenue in the Asia-Pacific region, its biggest market, rose 4 percent at constant exchange rates in the five months through August as lower sales in China offset growth in Hong Kong and Macau. That compared with growth of 12 percent for the same period last year. Total revenue rose 9 percent excluding currency shifts, missing the 10 percent median estimate of analysts.

EDF SA, Europe’s biggest power generator, slipped 2.6 percent to 21.66 euros. Norges Bank, the second-largest shareholder, sold 13 million shares at 21.50 euros each, according to three people familiar with the deal.

Vivendi rose 3.1 percent to 17.21 euros. Music, pay-TV, European cinema and Internet in Brazil will make up a new media group based in France after the split with phone unit SFR, according to a statement yesterday.

Home Retail gained 5.8 percent to 173.4 pence, its highest price since June 2011. Same-store sales at its Homebase home-improvement business jumped 11 percent in the 13 weeks ended Aug. 31, more than the 3 percent median of analyst estimates. Sales at its Argos unit rose 2.7 percent, also exceeding

Bouygues SA (EN), the French building, telecommunications and television company, surged 7.2 percent to 26.95 euros, the highest since November 2011. Credit Suisse Group AG upgraded the shares to neutral, similar to a hold recommendation, from underperform.

U.S. stock-index futures were little changed as investors weighed an unexpected drop in jobless claims to gauge the Federal Reserve’s next move on stimulus.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei  14,387.27 -37.80 -0.26%

Hang Seng 22,953.72 +16.58 +0.07%

Shanghai Composite 2,255.6 +14.34 +0.64%

FTSE  6,598.43 +10.00 +0.15%

CAC  4,113.26 -5.85 -0.14%

DAX 8,501.99 +6.26 +0.07%

Crude oil $108.36 +0.74%

Gold $1331.40 -2.38%

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Travelers (TRV) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells Fargo

Other:

Credit Agricole raises tgt on Facebook (FB) to $60 from $42

European stocks slipped from a five-year high as the region’s industrial output contracted more than forecast. U.S. index futures and Asian shares fell.

Euro-area industrial output contracted more than economists forecast in July as manufacturers struggled to shake off the legacy of a record-long recession. Factory production in the 17-nation euro area fell 1.5 percent from June, when it gained 0.6 percent, the European Union’s statistics office in Luxembourg said today. That’s more than the 0.3 percent contraction forecast by economists, according to the median of 33 estimates in a survey.

RWE lost 2.5 percent to 24.42 euros as Handelsblatt reported that Chief Executive Officer Peter Terium may suggest an annual dividend below last year’s 2 euros a share at a supervisory board meeting next week. The German newspaper cited unidentified people close to the board.

EDF SA, Europe’s biggest power generator, slipped 2.9 percent to 21.59 euros. Norges Bank, the second-largest shareholder, sold 13 million shares at 21.50 euros each, according to three people familiar with the deal.

Richemont declined 3.5 percent to 90.20 Swiss francs. The world’s largest jewelry maker said revenue in the Asia-Pacific region, its biggest market, rose 4 percent at constant exchange rates in the five months through August as lower sales in China offset growth in Hong Kong and Macau. That compared with growth of 12 percent for the same period last year.

FTSE 100 6,566.59 -21.84 -0.33%

CAC 40 4,101.81 -17.30 -0.42%

DAX 8,477.92 -17.81 -0.21%

Asia’s benchmark stock index swung between gains and losses after Japanese machinery orders accelerated less than expected and as investors await the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s meeting next week.

Nikkei 225 14,387.27 -37.80 -0.26%

Hang Seng 22,932.77 -4.37 -0.02%

S&P/ASX 200 5,242.54 +8.15 +0.16%

Shanghai Composite 2,255.6 +14.34 +0.64%

Toyota Motor Corp. dropped 1.1 percent, pacing losses among Japanese exporters as the yen rose for a second day.

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd. tumbled 16 percent, prompting a trading suspension, after a report by state-run Chinese Central Television alleged bribery at a unit of the medicine maker.

Qantas Airways Ltd., Australia’s largest carrier, climbed 2.9 percent after the Australian Financial Review reported it may share its Sydney terminal with unit Jetstar Airways.

Nikkei 225 14,425.07 1,71 0,01%

Hang Seng 22,937.14 -39,51 -0,17%

S & P / ASX 200 5,234.39 33,22 0,64%

Shanghai Composite 2,241.27 3,28 0,15%

FTSE 100 6,571.77 -12.22 -0.19%

CAC 40 4,119.11 +2.47 +0.06%

DAX 8,495.73 +49.19 +0.58%  

Dow +134.54 15,325.60 +0.89%

Nasdaq -4.01 3,725.01 -0.11%

S&P +5.08 1,689.07 +0.30%