Stock futures sank sharply Thursday morning as investors considered fast-dimming prospects for fiscal stimulus before the U.S. election and a host of new virus-related restrictions in Europe. Traders continue to fixate on whether a stimulus deal of any size will transpire within the next three weeks, even as recent comments from lawmakers have overwhelmingly dampened hopes. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference on Wednesday, said that “getting something done before the election and executing on that would be difficult, just given where we are in the level of details,” referring to talks with Democratic lawmakers. He and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are set to speak again on Thursday to discuss stimulus measures, after having spoken Wednesday morning. The three major indices hit session lows on Wednesday in the aftermath of Mnuchin’s remarks, with more relief to individuals and businesses viewed by many as a much-needed propellant in keeping economic activity on the upswing during the pandemic. Overseas, countries and major cities across Europe imposed stricter orders to try and rein in a jump in new coronavirus cases. In London starting this weekend, individuals will be restricted from mixing with other households indoors, and in France, residents of Paris and eight other cities will be subject to nighttime curfews beginning Saturday. A mixed set of corporate earnings this week has so far done little to buoy sentiment, with a number of big banks having reported results that underwhelmed against expectations. Wells Fargo (WFC) reported quarterly profit that was less than half that of the same period last year, and Bank of America (BAC) posted a drop in revenue and weaker sales and trading results than reported from major peers including JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Citigroup (C). Most big bank executives so far this week have suggested the worst of the pandemic’s impact on results may be behind them after an especially tough second quarter, though they acknowledged the distance still left to overcome in the economic recovery.