European stock markets drop at open

European stocks markets have dropped at the open with London's FTSE index down 0.52 per cent.

Europe's stock markets have slid at the start of trade, with London's FTSE 100 benchmark index down 0.52 per cent at 6,738.66 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 on Tuesday fell 0.37 per cent to 9,713.40 points and the Paris CAC 40 index dipped 0.28 per cent to stand at 4,430.30 compared with Monday's close.