European stock markets ease at open

European stock markets have eased at the open, with London's FTSE index dipping 0.03 per cent.

Europe's main stock markets have dipped at the start of trading, with London's FTSE 100 benchmark index easing 0.03 per cent to 6,704.57 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 on Thursday shed 0.18 per cent to 9,644.36 points and the Paris CAC 40 index nudged down in value by 0.08 per cent to stand at 4,413.64 compared with Wednesday's closing level.

European equities had rebounded on Wednesday on hopes the European Central Bank would step up its stimulus measures, dealers said. They had tumbled on Tuesday on data revealing a sharp slowdown for business activity in the eurozone.