European stock markets open with losses

London: Europe's main stock markets fell at the opening bell on Wednesday.

In initial deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of major blue-chip companies retreated 0.4 percent to 6,872.09 points, compared with Tuesday's closing level.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 also shed 0.4 percent to 11,043.64 points and the Paris CAC 40 lost 0.3 percent to 4,831.92.