European stocks decline before ECB monetary policy review

European stocks fell, extending their lowest level in more than five weeks, on concern the European Central Bank’s asset-buying program will disappoint. US index futures were little changed, while Asian shares dropped. All industry sectors declined. A gauge of oil and gas companies posted the biggest slide among 19 groups in the Stoxx Europe 600 Index. Rocket Internet AG fell 3.6 per cent on its first day of trading. The Stoxx 600 retreated 0.7 per cent to 337.84 at 9:26 a.m. in London. The benchmark gauge closed at its lowest level since Aug. 22 yesterday, as Italy cut its economic-growth forecasts and US manufacturing data missed estimates. The index has fallen 3.2 per cent since its almost six-year high on Sept. 4, according to businessweek.com