Europe: Stocks ahead in opening trade

[LONDON] Europe's main stock markets experienced tentative gains on Thursday, one day after Britain formally triggered its two-year EU divorce.

In initial deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index gained just under 0.1 per cent to stand at 7,377.40 points.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 added 0.1 per cent to 12,220.64 points and the CAC 40 in Paris also advanced 0.1 per cent to 5,075.61.

"The European markets are looking pretty sleepy this morning, lacking direction," said Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell.

"However, with the real Brexit negotiations looming these kinds of placid opens may soon be a distant memory." Nine months after Britain's shock June 23 referendum, Prime Minister May on Wednesday formally activated Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, meaning Britain is set to leave the European Union in late March 2019.

AFP