European stocks fell for a fourth week, the longest streak of losses in more than a year, as concern grew that central banks may reduce stimulus measures.

The Bank of Japan on June 11 refrained from additional stimulus measures to raise inflation and boost growth, continuing its April pledge to increase the monetary base by 60 trillion yen ($620 billion) to 70 trillion yen a year. Japan's economy expanded an annualized 4.1 percent in the first quarter, compared with a preliminary calculation of 3.5 percent, a Cabinet Office report showed on June 10.

In Indonesia, the central bank this week unexpectedly raised its key interest rate for the first time since 2011.

In the U.S., retail sales climbed in May more than forecast, Commerce Department data showed. A separate report the same day showed jobless claims fell more than estimated in the week ended June 7.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan June preliminary index of consumer sentiment fell to 82.7 from a final reading of 84.5 the prior month, missing economist forecasts, a report showed today.

National benchmark indexes fell in 16 of the 18 western-European markets this week. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 lost 1.6 percent. France's CAC 40 decreased 1.7 percent and Germany's DAX Index (DAX) declined 1.5 percent.

Severn Trent slid 15 percent, its biggest weekly drop since October 2008. A bidding group led by Canada's Borealis Infrastructure Management Inc. abandoned a 5.3 billion-pound ($8.3 billion) plan to take over the water utility as a deadline expired on June 11.

Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc slid 3.5 percent after saying June 12 that Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hester will resign this year. Hester said he is stepping down at the board's request as the state-controlled British bank prepares for privatization.

Kabel Deutschland advanced 11 percent, the biggest weekly gain since at least April 2010, after Vodafone said June 12 that it made a "preliminary approach" to discuss acquiring the German cable operator to expand in the broadband and TV markets.

Rhoen-Klinikum gained 6.2 percent after shareholders abolished a 90 percent voting threshold for mergers and other decisions. The German hospital operator said June 13 that shareholder B. Braun Holding GmbH is legally challenging the decision.

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European stocks were little changed, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index heading for its fourth weekly decline, as investors watched U.S. economic data and the Federal Reserve's stance on stimulus policy. U.S. index futures fell, while Asian shares rallied.

The Stoxx 600 climbed less than 0.1 percent to 290.65 at 11:07 a.m. in London, before a report that may show U.S. industrial production increased in May. The equity benchmark has dropped 1.6 percent this week, for the longest stretch of weekly losses in 14 months. It has retreated 6.4 percent since May 22, when Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the central bank may pare stimulus if the U.S. economy improves sustainably.

U.S. industrial production probably rose 0.2 percent in May, following a 0.5 decrease in the previous month, according to the median estimate of economists.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan index of consumer sentiment this month held at 84.5, its highest level since July 2007, economists predicted before a preliminary report.

Hochtief gained 5.6 percent to 51.61 euros, the biggest increase since May 7. The Essen, Germany-based company controlled by Spain's Actividades de Construccion & Servicios SA, plans to buy as many as 4.3 million shares, representing about 5.6 percent of its capital.

Great Portland Estates rose 4.4 percent to 550.5 pence, its biggest increase since January 2012. UBS raised its rating on the stock to buy from neutral, citing recent declines. Today's gain reversed a weekly drop, which would have been the fourth consecutive week of losses.

Michelin and Pirelli & C. SpA, advanced 3.2 percent 68.66 euros and 2.6 percent to 9.21 euros, respectively. Passenger tire demand in Brazil surged 20 percent in May from a year earlier for original equipment and 15 percent in the replacement market, Michelin said on its website

FTSE 100 6,311.02 +6.39 +0.10%

CAC 40 3,805.17 +7.19 +0.19%

DAX 8,129.02 +33.63 +0.42%

Asian stocks climbed, after the regional benchmark index yesterday erased this year's gain, as U.S. economic data beat estimates and concern eased that the Federal Reserve will reduce record stimulus.

Nikkei 225 12,686.52 +241.14 +1.94%

Hang Seng 21,028.74 +141.70 +0.68%

S&P/ASX 200 4,791.8 +96.04 +2.05%

Shanghai Composite 2,162.04 +13.69 +0.64%

Nissan Motor Co., the country's second-largest carmaker, added 0.7 percent.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., the nation's No. 2 maker of heavy equipment, climbed 4.3 percent after removing its president and ending merger talks with Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co.

Nikkei 225 12,445.38 -843,94 -6,35%

Hang Seng 20,811.94 -542,72 -2,54%

S & P / ASX 200 4,695.8 -28,65 -0,61%

Shanghai Composite -2,83 -62,54 2,148.36%

FTSE 100 6,304.63 +5.18 +0.08%

CAC 40 3,797.98 +4.28 +0.11%

DAX 8,095.39 -47.88 -0.59%

DJIA 15,176.10 180.85 1.21%

S&P 500 1,636.38 23.86 1.48%

NASDAQ 3,445.36 44.93 1.32%