European stocks slip ahead of eurozone meeting

Europe's main stock markets fell Thursday, before key interest rate decisions in the region and as investors digested fresh company results.London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of leading shares fell 0.80 percent to 5,210.71 points in late morning deals.Frankfurt's DAX 30 dropped 0.60 percent to 5,640.18 points and the Paris CAC 40 shed 0.68 percent to stand at 3,768.83.The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares slid 0.99 percent to reach 2,777.01 points approaching the half-way mark.

Europe's main stock markets dipped on Tuesday as investors took profits from recent bumper gains and waited on the latest raft of economic data in the United States, dealers said.In late morning deals, London's FTSE 100 index of top shares dropped 0.08 percent to 5,868.75 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 slid 0.02 percent to 7,055.80 points and in Paris the CAC 40 reversed 0.20 percent to 3,455.92.Madrid's Ibex 35 shed 0.79 percent to 7,980.90 points and Milan's FTSE Mib index lost 0.49 percent to 15,870.97.

Europe's main stock markets fell in morning deals on Tuesday owing to profit-taking after beginning the week sharply higher.London's FTSE 100 index of top shares dropped 0.13 percent to 5,348.85 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.23 percent to 5,788.18 points and in Paris the CAC 40 slid 0.31 percent to stand at 3,801.30.The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares lost 0.40 percent to 2,886.73 points."The drop in stocks this morning was probably expected after the strong rally yesterday," said ETX Capital senior trader Manoj Ladwa.

European stock markets dropped in morning trading on Monday, with the banking and insurance sectors lower in the wake of some disappointing earnings updates.London's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 0.32 percent to 5,957.74 points in late morning deals. Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.75 percent to 7,436.33 points and in Paris the CAC 40 index lost 0.88 percent to 4,022.40.The Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies slid 1.19 percent to 2,917.72 points.

European equities fell on Wednesday, reversing recent gains, as Greek 10-year bond yields surged to record heights on accelerating concern about the debt crisis in Athens.In early afternoon trading, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of top shares shed 0.89 percent to 5,731.89 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 slid 0.26 percent to 6,248.54 points and the Paris CAC 40 dipped 0.84 percent to 3,992.75.The Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone shares decreased by 0.75 percent to 2,960.89 points.

European equities fell further on Wednesday, extending recent heavy losses amid mounting anxiety about government debt in Dubai and Greece, and ahead of a key budget statement in London, dealers said.In late morning deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index lost 0.17 percent to stand at 5,214.60 points.Frankfurt's DAX 30 slid 0.37 percent to 5,668.30 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 0.25 percent to 3,775.68.The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares dipped 0.38 percent to 2,838.48 points.

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 fell on Wednesday, hit by Greece's ongoing debt crisis, while London's financial sector fell as the British government appeared set to back plans to overhaul banks.The British capital's benchmark FTSE 100 index of top shares slid 0.13 percent to 5,795.60 points in midday trade.Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.44 percent to 7,173.44 points and in Paris the CAC 40 index lost 0.42 percent to 3,848.23.The Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone companies recoiled 0.69 percent to 2,761.25 points.