European stocks retreat on eve of Spanish bond auction

Europe's main stock markets fell in opening deals on Wednesday on stubborn eurozone debt concerns, with London falling in value despite a new government taking power.Shortly after the open, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index sank 0.55 percent to 5,304.08 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.23 percent to 6,026.06 points and the Paris CAC 40 dipped 0.97 percent to reach 3,665.77 points.

European stock markets rallied on Tuesday after successful Spanish bond auctions which eased concern over the eurozone debt crisis, and on firm investor confidence in Germany, traders said.In late morning deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index climbed 0.73 percent to 5,707.48 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 gained 1.0 percent to 6,691.14 points and in Paris the CAC 40 grew 1.39 percent to 3,249.72.Madrid rallied 1.0 percent and Milan surged 2.23 percent.In foreign exchange trading, the European single currency firmed to $1.3166 from $1.3143 late in New York on Monday.

European stock markets recovered slightly on Monday after last week's heavy falls, while the euro hit a two-month low point against the dollar as traders focused on Spain's debt strains.In late morning deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index climbed 0.48 percent to 5,678.71 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 rose 0.38 percent to 6,607.92 points and in Paris the CAC 40 grew 0.54 percent to 3,205.92.Madrid dipped 0.07 percent and Milan won 0.55 percent.

Europe's main stock markets dipped on Tuesday, with Madrid the biggest loser after Spain was forced to pay sharply higher rates on short-term bonds.The IBEX 35 dropped 0.58 percent to 10,093 points while Europe's other major indices were steady.London's FTSE 100 was virtually unchanged at 5,860.11 points after data showed a rise in official British inflation.Frankfurt's DAX 30 index slipped 0.04 percent to 7,026.05 points, the Paris CAC 40 edged up 0.06 percent to 3,894.59 points and the Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies fell 0.05 percent to 2,852.89.

Europe's main stock markets and the euro slid on Thursday following unexpectedly weak eurozone economic data and disappointing Chinese figures, analysts said.London's FTSE 100 benchmark index of leading shares dropped 0.91 percent to 5,838.01 points approaching midday in the British capital.Frankfurt's DAX 30 slumped 1.46 percent to 6,968.40 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 1.66 percent to 3,468.73.The euro dropped to $1.3157 from $1.3213 late in New York on Wednesday.

Europe's leading stock markets dropped on Thursday, the eve of major US jobs figures, and as British investors awaited the Bank of England's latest decision on interest rates.London's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell by 0.29 percent to stand at 5,514.37 points in late morning deals.Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.83 percent to 5,984.19 points and in Paris the CAC 40 lost 0.50 percent to 3,997.85.The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares decreased 0.62 percent in value to reach 2,990.92 points.

Europe's main stock markets slid on Monday, as investors took profits from pre-weekend gains, and miners and energy groups were hit by lower commodity prices, dealers said.In midday deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 0.61 percent at 5,290.17 points.Frankfurt's DAX 30 dropped 0.60 percent to 5,783.01 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 0.44 percent to 3,829.64 near the half-way stage.The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares declined 0.56 percent to 2,894.09 points.

Europe's main stock markets slipped in opening deals on Monday, with London's FTSE 100 benchmark index of leading shares down 0.47 percent at 5,937.51 at 10:24 am.In Paris the CAC 40 dipped 0.37 percent to 3,581.48 points and Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.19 percent to stand at 7,143.93 points.Asian shares were mostly higher Monday on the back of lingering optimism over the recovery in the global economy but the advances were tempered by US data that came in below expectations.