Europe: Stocks diverge at open

[LONDON] European stock markets diverged at the start of trading on Thursday following widespread losses the previous session.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 0.4 per cent to 6,842.38 points compared with the close on Wednesday.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 gained 0.3 per cent to 10,687.57 points and the Paris CAC 40 won 0.4 per cent to open at 4,471.30.

World stock markets ran into profit-taking Wednesday, prompted by weak economic data, lower oil prices and a sliding dollar, traders said.

AFP