European stocks open with a step back

European sharemarkets have slipped at the opening.

Leading European stock markets have opened on a downbeat note, with the FTSE 100 index in London showing an initial fall of 0.21 per cent to 6,860.76 points.

In Frankfurt on Tuesday, the DAX 30 index, which had ended for the first time above 10,000 points on Monday, slipped 0.10 per cent to 9,998.51 points.

In Paris, the CAC 40 index, which had gained 0.17 per cent on Monday edged back 0.02 per cent to 4,588.14 points.