European stocks drop at open
European stocks fell at the open Friday, extending the previous session's falls as the focus switches back to the economic impact of fresh virus lockdowns.
After a mini boost for equities earlier in the week as Joe Biden took office as US president, stock markets are starting to slip back.
London's benchmark FTSE 100 index opened with a loss of 0.3% at 6 693.37 points, after official data Friday revealed weak UK retail sales and a further surge in government borrowing to support the virus-hit economy.
In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index dropped 0.4% to 13 853.34 points and the Paris CAC 40 shed 0.3% to 5 571.75.