European stocks and the euro fell as leaders remained divided over a Greek rescue and Moody’s Investors Service said it may downgrade global banks. U.S. equities were little changed after jobless claims fell to a four-year low and housing starts topped forecasts.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index lost 0.4 percent, led by banks, at 9:30 a.m. in New York. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index drifted between gains and losses near 1,343. The euro dipped below $1.30 for the first time since Jan. 25. The Markit iTraxx SovX Western Europe Index of credit-default swaps on 15 governments rose for a seventh day, its longest run of increases since November 2010. The S&P GSCI gauge of 24 commodities was little changed.

Europe’s creditor countries struggled to bridge divisions over a rescue of Greece yesterday, delaying a decision on 130 billion euros ($170 billion) of aid until Feb. 20. Ratings for global banks may be cut as lenders worldwide face risks of rising funding costs amid Europe’s debt woes, Moody’s said.

“Greek concerns appear to be weighing down on markets,” said Peter Dixon, global equities economist at Commerzbank AG. “It’s beginning to look as though the end game may be a lot more messy than anticipated.”

Ban Lifted

More than three shares declined for every one that rose in the Stoxx 600. Spanish banks led losses as regulators lifted a six-month ban on short-selling the nation’s lenders. Banco Santander SA lost 3.2 percent, the most in six weeks. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA and Bankia SA retreated more than 4.5 percent.

Ratings for UBS AG, Credit Suisse Group AG and Morgan Stanley may be lowered by as many as three levels, while those for Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Deutsche Bank AG, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup Inc. may be cut two levels, Moody’s said in a statement.

The euro slid 0.4 percent to $1.3017. The Dollar Index, which tracks the U.S. currency against six trading partners, rose 0.3 percent.

The gauge of default swaps on government debt climbed 10.5 basis points to 355.2, the highest since Jan. 18, while the Markit iTraxx Financial Index linked to the senior debt of 25 European banks and insurers rose 10 basis points to a month-high of 249. The measure dropped 58 basis points in January, a record monthly decline.

Yield Spread

The difference in yield investors demand to own Spain’s 10- year bonds compared with Germany benchmark bunds increased three basis points. Spain sold 4.07 billion euros of debt maturing in 2015 and 2019, more than the 4 billion-euro maximum target. The yield spread between French bonds and the bund decreased 11 basis points. France sold 8.45 billion euros of debt at lower borrowing costs.

Oil in New York fell 0.2 percent to $101.60 a barrel and copper dropped as much as 2 percent.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index fell 1.3 percent, set for the lowest close since Feb. 10. Taiwan’s Taiex index and South Korea’s Kospi Index lost at least 1.4 percent. Catcher Technology Co. and Foxconn Technology Co., which make casings for Apple Inc.’s iPhones, slumped more than 6 percent in Taipei after Apple shares lost 2.3 percent yesterday. The Shanghai Composite Index retreated 0.4 percent.