Global stocks down as Greece dents impact of U.S. data

SEOUL, South Korea - Global stock markets were mostly lower Friday as lack of progress in bailout negotiations between Greece and its creditors dampened the positive impulse from upbeat U.S. retail and jobs data.

Britain's FTSE 100 dropped 0.4 percent to 6,818.21. Germany's DAX fell 0.6 percent to 11,264.66 and France's CAC 40 slipped 0.4 percent to 4,952.10. Futures augured a weak start for Wall Street: S&P 500 futures fell 0.3 percent and Dow futures declined 0.2 percent.

The International Monetary Fund said there was no progress in recent Greece bailout talks and pulled negotiators out of the meetings. The move increases pressure on Athens to compromise but markets were worried that the outstanding differences between Greece and its creditors would lead to the country defaulting on its debt. A possible consequence of a default is Greece leaving the euro currency bloc. The country faces a June 30 deadline for a debt payment and a meeting of the eurozone's finance ministers, known as the eurogroup, from June 18-19 may be a decisive milestone in the saga.

"The fact the IMF walked out of talks and flew straight back to the States doesn't help sentiment or give you confidence a deal will be done," said Evan Lucas, a market strategist at IG. "This will get messy."

Japan's Nikkei 225 closed up 0.1 percent at 20,407.08 and South Korea's benchmark finished down 0.2 percent to 2,052.17. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.4 percent to 27,280.54 while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 edged down 0.2 percent to 5,545.30. Shanghai composite index advanced 0.9 percent to 5,166.35 while stocks in Taiwan and Singapore were nearly flat.

Retail sales climbed 1.2 percent in May, the Commerce Department said. The retail report showed that Americans ramped up their spending on autos, building materials and clothing, a sign that strong job growth is starting to boost sales at stores. The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose slightly last week, yet remains at a historically low level underlining a healthier job market.

Benchmark U.S. crude was down 70 cents to $60.08 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract closed 66 cents lower at $60.77 a barrel in Nymex floor trading on Thursday. Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils, fell 91 cents to $64.88.

The euro slumped to $1.1164 from $1.1246. The dollar strengthened to 123.76 yen from 123.55 yen.