European stocks drop at open

Frankfurt's DAX 30 slipped 0.19 per cent to 9,641.45 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 0.22 per cent to 4,321.18.

Europe's main stock markets fell at the start of trading, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index losing 0.20 per cent to 6,782.84 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 slipped 0.19 per cent to 9,641.45 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 0.22 per cent to 4,321.18 compared with Tuesday's closing values.