LIVE MARKETS-Europe before the bell: We weren't away for long, what happened?

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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL, WE WEREN'T AWAY FOR LONG, WHAT HAPPENED?

European stock markets are set for chunky falls at Friday's open, having closed the day before with world shares in a fairly positive mood, before Wall Street turned dramatically lower once Europe had gone home.

Euro STOXX 50 futures are down 1.5% after the index had finished up a decent 0.5% on Thursday.

Then the mood on Wall Street changed with tech shares stumbling. The Nasdaq finished down 2%, at its lowest close since mid September and Asia shares also slid. .N

U.S. futures are up a touch at the moment, suggesting they may add some stability later, but of course that could easily change.

There are a few company updates to process too.

Eyes will be on French video game publisher Ubisoft UBIP.PA who finally published its first half earnings. Trading in the company's shares have been suspended for the past week, but will resume at 1000 CET (0900 GMT)

British engineering company Babcock, BAB.L whose shares have been part of the defence stock rally, said it was on track for growth this year after first-half profit jumped 19%,helped by governments spending more on its shipbuilding and nuclear servicing capabilities.

French water management, waste management and energy services group Veolia VIE.PA said on Friday it had agreed to buy U.S.-based hazardous waste company Clean Earthfrom Enviri NVRI.N for $3 billion.

(Alun John)

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