European stock markets retreat at open

LONDON: Europe's main stock markets dropped at the start of trading on Tuesday following similar losses across Asia as the Bank of Japan decided against more stimulus to support the economy.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 0.6 percent to 6,138.64 points compared with Monday's close.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index shed 0.5 percent to 9,941.46 points and the Paris CAC 40 lost 0.7 percent to 4,474.26.

"Inaction from the Bank of Japan and a continued slide for oil has seen the European markets wake up in a bad mood," said Connor Campbell, analyst at Spreadex trading group.