European stocks fell for a third day after ABB Ltd reported orders that were less than analysts' estimates and concern deepened the global economic slump will curb demand for commodities. US index futures and Asian shares declined.

ABB, the world's largest builder of electricity grids, dropped 13 percent. BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Group Plc sank more than 5 percent as copper tumbled below $4,000 a ton.

Europe's Dow Jones Stoxx 600 Index dropped 2.9 percent to 203.54 at 10:35 am. The index has plunged 44 percent in 2008 as credit-related losses and writedowns topped $650 billion in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.