European stocks fall as confidence takes tumble

European stocks fell after German business confidence sank the most since September 2001 and lower commodity prices hurt mining and energy shares. US index futures retreated, while Asian shares advanced.

BHP Billiton Ltd, the world's biggest mining company, fell to a three-month low. Total SA, Europe largest oil refiner, slipped for the first time this week. EasyJet Plc led airlines lower, saying earnings will slide as much as 46 percent.

Europe's Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index lost 1.2 percent to 283.31 at 12:09 pm in London, dragging the index from the highest this month. Futures on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index slipped 0.4 percent. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 1.5 percent as Sony Corp advanced.