European stocks slide as Portugal rating slashed

European stock markets slid Tuesday in the absence of risky trades amid concerns over the strength of the world's top economies.In late morning trade, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 0.87 percent to 6,000.71 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 dropped 0.95 percent to 7,136.89 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 1.07 percent to 3,995.47.The Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies slipped 0.77 percent to 2,951.66 points.

European stock markets fell Monday on fresh worries over the eurozone debt crisis and as investors expressed caution before earnings updates from major corporates due this week.London's benchmark FTSE 100 index shed 0.95 percent to 5,939.87 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 lost 1.12 percent to 7,099.75 points and in Paris the CAC 40 declined 1.35 percent to 3,920.77.The Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies retreated 1.44 percent to 2,877.33 points.

European stock markets slumped on Wednesday and the euro hit another four-year dollar low in reaction to new German trading controls and persistent concern about the state of the eurozone economy, analysts said.In early morning deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of leading shares dived 1.64 percent to 5,220.21 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 1.43 percent to 6,067.83 points and in Paris the CAC 40 lost 2.07 percent to 3,542.61.

European stocks slid and the euro fell against the dollar on Monday before a major EU summit this week that analysts said was unlikely to deliver concrete steps to extinguish eurozone debt fires.London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of leading shares was down 0.60 percent at 5,480.60 points in late morning deals.Frankfurt's DAX 30 slid 1.57 percent to 6,164.81 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 1.63 percent to 3,040.69.Madrid's IBEX 35 index tumbled 2.50 percent to 6,704.50 points.

European stock markets slumped and the euro lost ground against the dollar on Wednesday, hit by yet more signs of recession in Europe as the European Central Bank kept interest rates at an historic low.In afternoon deals, London's FTSE 100 index of top companies fell 1.42 percent to 5,756.66 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 2.10 percent to 6,853.26 points and in Paris the CAC 40 lost 1.88 percent to 3,342.81 points.

European stock markets fell Thursday, reversing opening gains, as investor sentiment was dented by news of weak eurozone manufacturing data and a surprise contraction in the Irish economy.London's FTSE 100 index of top shares sank 0.72 percent to 5,512.01 points in late morning trade. Frankfurt's DAX 30 lost 0.65 percent to 6,168.39 and in Paris the CAC 40 index shed 0.95 percent to 3,699.78 points.The Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies was down 0.72 percent to 2,733.01 points.

European stocks and the euro fell on Thursday on dismal eurozone manufacturing figures, making a downbeat start to September after an extremely volatile August which was haunted by shadows of global recession.London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares slid 0.50 percent to 5,367.81 points in late morning trade, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 1.89 percent to 5,676.83 points and in Paris the CAC 40 lost 1.14 percent to 3,218.18.

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.