European stocks dropped, paring their biggest weekly gain in almost two months, as drugmakers retreated and a measure of business activity in the U.S. fell more than economists had projected.

A report today showed that Japanese industrial output rose 2 percent in May, the most since December 2011. Economists had projected that industrial production would climb 0.2 percent from the previous month, according to the median estimate in a survey.

In Europe, German retail sales rose in May more than economists had forecast. Sales adjusted for inflation and seasonal swings climbed 0.8 percent from April, when they fell a revised 0.1 percent, the Federal Statistics Office in Wiesbaden said. Economists had predicted an increase of 0.4 percent, according to the median of 23 estimates in a survey.

National benchmark indexes retreated in 14 of the 18 western-European markets today. France's CAC 40 Index dropped 0.8 percent and Germany's DAX Index slipped 0.4 percent. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 declined 0.6 percent, while Greece's ASE Index jumped 2.5 percent.

Air France-KLM retreated 2.8 percent to 6.89 euros. La Tribune reported that short- and medium-haul flights will weigh heavily on the airline's second-quarter results, according to La Tribune. The French newspaper did not identify its source.

Hannover Re lost 1.3 percent to 55.32 euros after Exane BNP Paribas SA downgraded the world's fourth-largest reinsurer to neutral from outperform, meaning that investors should not buy more of the shares. The brokerage cited deteriorating short-term trading conditions.

Mediaset climbed 2.8 percent to 2.90 euros after Credit Suisse raised its price target on the broadcaster to 4.40 euros from 2.65 euros. The brokerage cited growing evidence that the television-advertising markets in Italy and Spain have bottomed.

Serco jumped 2.7 percent to 616.5 pence after the U.K. services company said its investment in bidding for contracts and new market development activity has increased.

U.S. stock futures were little changed before reports on American consumer sentiment and business activity.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 13,677.32 +463.77 +3.51%

Hang Seng 20,803.29 +363.21 +1.78%

Shanghai Composite 1,979.21 +29.19 +1.50%

FTSE 6,228.26 -15.14 -0.24%

CAC 3,737.02 -25.17 -0.67%

DAX 7,942.55 -48.20 -0.60%

Crude oil $97.09 +0.04%

Gold $1193.20 +1.52%

European stocks fluctuated, heading for their biggest weekly gain in two months, as drugmakers retreated, offsetting a report that showed Japanese industrial production beat estimates. U.S. futures and Asian shares rose.

The Stoxx 600 declined less than 0.1 percent to 286.33 at 10:30 a.m. in London, erasing an advance of as much as 0.4 percent. The equity benchmark has increased 2.1 percent this week, halting a five-week decline. The gauge has still dropped 4.8 percent in June, paring its gain this year to 2.4 percent.

A report today showed that Japanese industrial output rose 2 percent in May, the most since December 2011. Economists had projected that industrial production would climb 0.2 percent from the previous month, according to the median estimate in survey.

Fed Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart, who has supported stimulus, said investors may have overreacted to Chairman Ben S. Bernanke's announcement that the central bank could start scaling back its bond purchases this year.

"In my view, the comments by the chairman do not constitute an enormous shift in policy," Lockhart said to the Kiwanis Club of Marietta. "I still anticipate that the very low interest-rate policy will remain in place for a considerable time after the end of asset purchases, and thus policy will remain highly accommodative."

German retail sales rose in May more than economists had forecast, adding to signs that a recovery in Europe's largest economy has gathered pace this quarter.

Sales adjusted for inflation and seasonal swings climbed 0.8 percent from April, when they fell a revised 0.1 percent, the Federal Statistics Office in Wiesbaden said today. Economists had predicted an increase of 0.4 percent, according to the median estimates in survey.

Roche Holding AG, the maker of the Avastin cancer drug, lost 1.7 percent for the largest drag on the Stoxx Europe 600 Index.

Mediaset SpA climbed 2.1 percent after Credit Suisse Group AG raised its price target on the shares. Serco Group Plc added 4.1 percent after predicting that its revenue growth in the first half will exceed its previous estimates.

FTSE 100 6,247.16 +3.76 +0.06%

CAC 40 3,746.1 -16.09 -0.43%

DAX 7,984.91 -5.84 -0.07%

Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index headed for its biggest gain in nine months, amid signs the Japanese and U.S. economies are improving and assurances on stimulus efforts by the Federal Reserve.

Nikkei 225 13,677.32 +463.77 +3.51%

Hang Seng 20,803.29 +363.21 +1.78%

S&P/ASX 200 4,802.59 -8.69 -0.18%

Shanghai Composite 1,979.21 +29.19 +1.50%

Toyota Motor Corp., the world's biggest carmaker, rose 1.5 percent, pacing gains among Japanese exporters as the yen weakened.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., Japan's No. 1 lender, climbed 4.1 percent after the nation's industrial output and retail sales beat expectations.

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd., the largest mainland property company traded in Hong Kong, rose 4.6 percent on speculation the government will remove a ban on refinancing for real-estate development.

Nikkei 225 13,213.55 379,54 2,96%

Hang Seng 20,513.42 174,87 0,86%

S & P / ASX 200 4,811.3 79,59 1,68%

Shanghai Composite -1,48 -0,08 1,950.01%

FTSE 100 6,243.4 +77.92 +1.26%

CAC 40 3,762.19 +36.15 +0.97%

DAX 7,990.75 +49.76 +0.63%

DJIA 15,024.50 114.35 0.77%

S&P 500 1,613.20 9.94 0.62%

NASDAQ 3,401.86 25.64 0.76%