European stocks declined in the late afternoon trading. Italy reported a slight decline in current account deficit but the foreign reserves remain stable at the end of April. Retail sales in the month of May in the UK rise, surprising most observers. Rising non-food stores contributed to gains. Dollar trades lower and oil trades at elevated level. Vallourec falls 4% in Paris and E.On AG in Frankfurt gained 2%.
At mid-day in London, gold lost $5.40 at $893.25 an ounce. Silver fell 15 cents to $17.22 an ounce, platinum slipped $34 to $2,075 an ounce and palladium traded unchanged at $464 an ounce.
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