Europe: Stocks firm at open

[LONDON] Europe's main stock markets edged higher in opening deals on Tuesday as investors awaited a Greek reform package crucial to an extension of its bailout, dealers said.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index gained a marginal 0.01 per cent to 6,912.96 points compared with Monday's close.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 added just 0.02 per cent to 11,128.17 points and the CAC 40 index in Paris firmed 0.07 per cent to 4,865.68.

Greece delivered to Brussels on Tuesday a delayed but what it called "very comprehensive" list of reforms that Athens hopes will secure a four-month extension to its financial lifeline.

Eurozone finance ministers are to discuss them in a conference call on Tuesday afternoon.

"Greece's inability to deliver their reform plan by Monday's deadline hasn't caused too many tremors in the markets," noted London Capital Group dealer Jonathan Sudaria.

Most European indices had risen on Monday after eurozone ministers tentatively agreed to extend Greece's bailout by four months, but London slid on poor results from lender HSBC.

AFP