European equities slip at open

LONDON: European stock markets slid on Monday, with Frankfurt, London and Paris each losing about 0.2 percent after Asian equities fell across the board.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of major blue-chip companies descended to stand at 7,398.21 points.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index dipped to 13,036.74 points, despite hopes that German Chancellor Angela Merkel was close to forming a government.

In Paris, the CAC 40 weakened to 5,378.96 from Friday's closing level.