Stocks slip amid credit loss concerns

European stocks fell as concern deepened that credit losses will spread, threatening economic and profit growth. US index futures declined, while Asian shares advanced.

Natixis SA, the French bank planning a 3.7 billion-euro rights offer to replenish capital, fell 3 percent, and Fortis, Belgium's biggest financial-services firm, lost 1.6 percent.

Bouygues SA, the world's second-largest builder, led a retreat by companies whose earnings are more sensitive to the pace of economic expansion, falling 2.3 percent. Wal-Mart Stores Inc dropped 0.8 percent in German trading.