Europe stocks lose ground (MarketWatch) (03-02-2012)

MADRID -- European stock markets had losses on Friday, as investors await key U.S. nonfarm payroll data due later.

Banks and mining stocks pulled back after recent gains. Merger news was lifting shares of software group Misys PLC which rose 3% after saying it's in talks with Temenos Group AG. Temenos shares gained 12%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index appeared flat at 260.01. The French CAC 40 index fell 0.3% to 3,367.69, while the German DAX 30 index fell 0.2% to 6,642.65. The FTSE 100 index fell 0.1% to 5,789.98. Shares of BBVA SA fell 1.4% after a broker downgrade.

Source: MarketWatch