June 13 (Bloomberg) -- European stocks pared their gains, with the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index trading near a 2 1/2 month low, as carmakers dropped and banks climbed. U.S. futures were little changed, while Asian shares retreated.

Banco Popolare SC rose 2.2 percent on a report that the lender may sell assets to avoid holding a rights offer. Lloyds Banking Group Plc gained 1.2 percent as investors speculated the bank may cut jobs as part of plan to save 1 billion pounds ($1.6 billion). Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. jumped 4.5 percent after the Sunday Times said Glencore International Plc may make a bid.

The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained less than 0.1 percent to 268.18 at 10:05 a.m. in London after the benchmark measure last week slid 2 percent. The gauge has retreated for six consecutive weeks, the longest stretch of losses since 2008, as U.S. economic data trailed forecasts and speculation grew that Greece will default on its debt, adding to concern that the global recovery is faltering.

Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures expiring in September lost less than 0.1 percent today after the benchmark gauge tumbled more than 2 percent last week. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.6 percent today as China’s lending tumbled and Japanese machinery orders fell for the first time in four months.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Will Hadfield at whadfield@bloomberg.net