ZCZC
BCN-06
STOCKS-EUROPE-OPEN
European stock markets slump at open
LONDON, Dec 20, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Europe’s main stock markets slumped at
the start of trading on Thursday following renewed slides on Wall Street.
London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index shed 1.4 percent to 6,668.50 points
awaiting British retail sales data and the outcome of the Bank of England’s
regular monetary policy meeting.
In the eurozone, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 lost 1.3 percent to 10,621.18 points
and the Paris CAC 40 retreated 1.4 percent to 4,709.75 compared with closing
values Wednesday.
Elsewhere Thursday, Tokyo led a rout of Asian shares, mirroring big losses
on Wall Street Wednesday after the Federal Reserve defied unprecedented
pressure from US President Donald Trump and raised interest rates, sparking
fears the move could choke economic growth.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1430 hrs