European Stock Futures Mainly Lower; Vivendi in the Spotlight By Investing.com – Investing.com

European Stock Futures Mainly Lower; Vivendi in the Spotlight By Investing.com – Investing.com

© Reuters.

By Peter Nurse 

Investing.com - European stock markets are expected to weaken Thursday, following Asia lower amid slowing growth and increasing regulatory concerns.

At 2:10 AM ET (0610 GMT), the contract in Germany traded 0.1% lower, the contract in the U.K. fell 0.3%, but in France climbed 0.3%.

European markets have received a weak handover from Asia Thursday, with the Hong Kong benchmark index, the , falling nearly 2%. Casino shares extended the previous day’s rout as the Chinese government sought to tighten its grip on Macau, the world’s biggest gambling hub.

Additionally, troubled Chinese real estate giant Evergrande stock slumped around 10% after its main unit applied to suspend trading of its onshore corporate bonds, raising fresh worries of default risks.

Economic data from China released Wednesday pointed to the world’s second largest economy suffering from slowing growth in August thanks to Covid-19 outbreaks and supply disruptions.

Back in Europe, consolidation in the media sector looks likely after Vivendi (OTC:) announced late Wednesday that it was set to purchase another stake in Lagardere (PA:), paving the way for a full takeover.

The digital entertainment giant, which already has 27% of Lagardere, said it