European shares fall on jitters ahead of US jobs data, by Reuters

(Reuters) – European shares slipped for a fourth straight session on Thursday as investors awaited more economic data from the euro zone while also eyeing U.S. jobs data to gauge the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut prospects .

The pan-European index was down 0.1 percent as of 0715 GMT.

Miners fell 0.8 percent after prices of most industrial metals fell on a weak demand outlook following recent weak economic data globally, including in top consumer China. (MET/L)

Real estate stocks were the biggest sector gainers, up 0.5%.

Industrial orders in Germany rose 2.9 percent in July from the previous month on a seasonally and calendar-adjusted basis, versus a Reuters poll of analysts that had predicted a 1.5 percent decline. Germany’s benchmark rose 0.1%.

Investors will now turn their attention to Eurozone retail sales figures at 09:00 GMT and US labor market data at around 12:30 GMT, which could help investors recalibrate their interest rate expectations .

Among individual stocks, Associated British Foods ( OTC: ) fell 3.5% to a five-month low after owner Primark said it expected price cuts seen in the fourth quarter to significantly affect the performance of its European business with sugar next year.

Lanxess rose 3.4 percent after Morgan Stanley raised its rating on the chemicals company’s stock to “Overweight” from “Underweight.”