Rio Tinto Group retreated 2.7 percent as copper, lead and nickel slid on the London Metal Exchange. Seven & I Holdings Co., Japan's largest retailer, tumbled 5 percent in Tokyo after saying profits dropped 28 percent last quarter.

The MSCI World Index slid 0.3 percent at 11:12 a.m. in London as six stocks fell for every two that rose. The gauge of 1,654 companies in 23 developed nations has slipped 1.9 percent this week after the U.S. economy lost more jobs than projected last month, adding to concern the first global recession since World War II will persist.

"People realize the economy isn't as bright as expected," said Franz Wenzel, deputy director of investment strategy at Axa Investment Managers in Paris, which oversees US$678 billion.

The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index of European shares decreased 0.5 percent. The measure has slipped 5.5 percent since June 11 on speculation share prices have outpaced the outlook for economic growth after a three-month rally pushed valuations to 25.4 times earnings, the highest level since 2004, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 0.2 percent, leaving it with a drop of 0.8 percent since June 26. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index in the U.S. tumbled 2.5 percent this week.