European stock futures drop as coronavirus recovery doubts zoom larger

European stock markets started flat on Wednesday trade as global economic recovery doubts weighed on markets.

Germany’s DAX futures fell 0.1%. France’s CAC 40 futures dipped 0.4%. Joining the gloomy performance was the FTSE 100 futures with a 0.5% decline.

The resurging number of coronavirus cases worldwide as highly contagious variants of the virus spread. In Europe, the Netherlands joined Italy, France, and Germany in tightening its lockdown measures as it announced on Tuesday its extension of nationwide curfew and other restrictive measures until late April.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 lowered 0.8%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.1%.

In corporate news, E.ON and Bellway posted encouraging earning figures. Commerzbank issues its annual report.

Elsewhere, gold futures added 0.2% to $1,729.05/oz.