On Friday European stocks fell before a report on US gross domestic product that may show growth slowed in the world’s largest economy. Asian equities and US index futures retreated.

Lafarge SA led a sell-off in construction-related companies after the world’s biggest cement maker cut its outlook for demand. HeidelbergCement AG retreated 2.6 per cent as earnings trailed estimates. Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica SA slumped 11 per cent after the Spanish maker of wind turbines reduced its sales forecast.

European stocks fell as mixed corporate results prompted investors to cash in some of the strong gains made in the month, ahead of US GDP data that should shed more light on the pace of the recovery.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was down, on track to record a gain of five per cent on the month – the index’s first monthly gain since March.

Banks, which had gained strongly earlier this week, retreated on Friday, with BBVA down 1.2 per cent and Banco Popolare down 0.4 per cent.

On the upside, telecom gear maker Alcatel Lucent jumped 9 per cent, reversing some of the losses suffered this year, after saying it will reach its annual profit targets as it posted second-quarter results that reassured investors.

Facebook Inc. will probably put off its initial public offering until 2012, giving Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg more time to gain users and boost sales, three people familiar with the matter said.

Asian stocks fell, dragging down the MSCI Asia Pacific Index by the most in almost two weeks, as higher-than-estimated unemployment in Japan and a poorer Macquarie Group Ltd. earnings outlook overshadowed increased profit targets at Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp.

Japanese stocks fell after industrial production dropped unexpectedly and consumer prices declined more than estimated, raising concerns the nation’s economic recovery will stall. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 1.6 per cent while the Topix index lost 1.4 per cent.