Europe: Stock markets retreat at open

[LONDON] European stock markets retreated at the opening on Thursday with investors taking profits from the strong gains the previous session.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index slid 1.0 per cent to 6,214.57 points, after ending Wednesday with a gain of 2.0 per cent.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 index dipped 0.1 per cent to 13,042.71 points and the Paris CAC 40 shed 0.3 per cent to 5,058.86.

Both indices had closed 0.9 per cent higher on Wednesday.

AFP