Europe: Stock markets dip at open

[LONDON] European stocks slid in cautious opening trade on Thursday after Wall Street's Dow Jones Industrial Average bulldozed its way past 22,000 points for the first time.

In initial deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 0.2 per cent to 7,393.76 points, ahead of an interest rate decision from the Bank of England.

In the eurozone, the Paris CAC 40 also retreated 0.2 per cent to 5,097.14 points compared with the closing level on Wednesday. Frankfurt's DAX 30 was more than 0.4 per cent lower at 12,130.76 points.

Asian equity markets also paused for breath on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Dow smashed through 22,000 points following another round of strong earnings that have overshadowed the lack of progress on President Donald Trump's agenda.

Leading analysts attribute the market's latest push higher primarily to strong results from blue-chip companies, most recently Apple.

Other Dow companies that have soared after in recent weeks on strong earnings reports include Boeing, McDonald's, Nike and Verizon.

AFP