European stock markets slip at open

LONDON: Europe's main stock markets slid at the start of trading on Monday, with sentiment hit by downbeat Chinese economic data published over the weekend, dealers said.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index declined 0.24 percent to 6,396.60 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.10 percent to 8,246.04 points and in Paris the CAC 40 dropped 0.19 percent to 3,865.11 points compared with Friday's closing values.

"A cagey open for European markets today as sketchy data from China weighed on investors' sentiment," said Spreadex trader Shavaz Dhalla.

Weak Chinese trade data added to concerns of a slowdown in the world's number two economy.

On Saturday, Beijing reported a sharp slowdown in exports in May from April, while imports unexpectedly dropped owing to weakness in the domestic economy and sluggish demand overseas.

Official data also showed industrial production, which measures output at the country's factories and mines, rose at a slower pace than during the previous month while fixed asset investment also came in below expectations.