STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Index futures signal more losses

European stock index futures point to a lower start, mirroring sharp losses in Asia and extending the previous session's drop, hit by mounting worries over the outlook for company profits.

At 0603 GMT, futures for the Eurostoxx 50 STXEc1, Germany's DAX FDXc1 and the French CAC 40 FCEc1 are down 0.4-0.5 percent.

Japan's Nikkei average sank 2.6 percent to hit its lowest point in eight weeks on Monday, hurt by growing political uncertainty after news that embattled Prime Minister Taro Aso is set to call a general election for Aug. 30.

MAJOR MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS/EVENTS (GMT):

1800 US Fed budget Jun

2301 GB BRC retail Jun

MAJOR EUROPEAN COMPANIES REPORTING:

Experian PLC Q1 TRADE (EXPN.L)