European stock markets diverge

LONDON, June 10 (AFP): European stock markets were mixed on Tuesday, with Frankfurt and Paris rising slightly and London falling amid a lack of activity.

London's FTSE 100 index of top shares slid 0.53 per cent to stand at 6,838.14 points in late morning deals compared with Monday's closing level.

The DAX 30 in Frankfurt, which the previous day had ended for the first time above 10,000 points, climbed 0.13 per cent to 10,021.88 points.

The Paris CAC 40 index gained 0.13 per cent to 4,595.22 points and the IBEX 35 in Madrid was flat at 11,162.80.

"Markets in general are lacking fresh impulses in the aftermath of last week's ECB action," said Markus Huber, senior analyst at brokers Peregrine & Black.

"Still overall sentiment continues to remain positive and with new economic data flow increasing as the week progresses this might just turnout to be a much needed breather."

In foreign exchange trading on Tuesday, the European single currency fell to $1.3559 from $1.3592 late in New York on Monday.

The euro slipped to 80.68 British pence from 80.90 pence.

The British pound rose to $1.6806 from $1.6799 on Monday.