Stock indices declined. Escalating violence in Iraq weighed on stock markets. The violence in Iraq could lead to disruptions in the oil supplies in OPEC’s second-biggest oil producer. U.S. president Barack Obama warned to use air strikes to help the government in Baghdad.

Eurozone’s trade balance surplus decreased to 15.7 billion euro in April from a surplus of 16.7 billion euro in March. March’s figure was revised down from a surplus of 17.1 billion to +16.7 billion. Analysts had expected a surplus of 16.3 billion euro.

The number of persons employed in the Eurozone climbed by 0.1% in the first quarter.

Indexes on the close:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,777.85                              -65.26                        -0.95%

DAX                                      9,912.87                              -25.83                       -0.26%

CAC 40                                 4,543.28                              -11.12                       -0.24%

U.S. stock-index futures were little changed as concern that violence in Iraq will disrupt oil supplies offset corporate deals and a rally in Intel Corp.

Global markets:

TOPIX 1,243.97 +6.22 +0.50%

SHANGHAI COMP 2,070.71 +19.00 +0.93%

HANG SENG 23,319.17 +144.15 +0.62%

DAX 9,878.62 -60.08 -0.60%

CAC 4,526.1 -28.30 -0.62%

FTSE 6,767.5 -75.61 -1.10%

Crude oil $106.85 (+0.31%)

Gold $1273.90 (-0.01%)

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

Upgrades:

Intel (INTC) upgraded to Buy at Drexel Hamilton

Intel (INTC) upgraded to Equal-Weight from Underweight at Morgan Stanley

Intel (INTC) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at ROTH Capital

Downgrades:

Other:

Intel (INTC) target raised to $32 from $30 at FBR Capital

Intel (INTC) target raised to $40 from $35 at Jefferies

Stock indices decreased due to escalating violence in Iraq. The violence in Iraq could lead to disruptions in the oil supplies in OPEC’s second-biggest oil producer. U.S. president Barack Obama warned to use air strikes to help the government in Baghdad.

Eurozone’s trade balance surplus decreased to 15.7 billion euro in April from a surplus of 16.7 billion euro in March. March’s figure was revised down from a surplus of 17.1 billion to +16.7 billion. Analysts had expected a surplus of 16.3 billion euro.

The number of persons employed in the Eurozone climbed by 0.1% in the first quarter.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,770.16                              -72.95                        -1.07%

DAX                                      9,846.78                              -91.92                       -0.92%

CAC 40                                4,517.04                               -37.36                       -0.82%

Asian stock increased due to signs of improving economic activity in China. Retail sales in China increased 12.5% in May, exceeding expectations for a 12.3% gain, after a 11.9% rise in April.

The Chinese industrial production rose 8.8% in May, meeting expectations, after a 8.7% increase in April.

Escalating violence in Iraq weighed on markets.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                         15,097.84                  +124.31             +0.83%

Hang Seng                         23,319.17                 +144.15             +0.62%

Shanghai Composite            2,070.71                   +19.00              +0.93%

Nikkei 14,973.53 -95.95 -0.64%

Hang Seng 23,175.02 -82.27 -0.35%

Shanghai Composite 2,051.71 -3.24 -0.16%

S&P 1,930.11 -13.78 -0.71%

NASDAQ 4,297.63 -34.30 -0.79%

Dow 16,734.19 -109.69 -0.65%

FTSE 1,392.02 +0.43 +0.03%

CAC 4,554.4 -0.71 -0.02%

DAX 9,938.7 -11.11 -0.11%