European stock mkts kick off week on downbeat note

LONDON, June 30 (AFP): Europe's main stock markets traded mixed on Monday, as traders reacted to eurozone inflation numbers ahead of key US jobs data due later in the week.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index dipped 0.03 per cent to stand at 6,755.43 points around midday in the British capital.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 added 0.15 per cent to 9,829.44 points while the CAC 40 in Paris slid 0.37 per cent to 4,420.38 compared with last Friday's close.

The euro gained to $1.3663 from $1.3646 late on Friday in New York.

Inflation across the 18-nation eurozone was steady in June at 0.5 per cent, but remained far below target against a background of concern about deflation, official data showed on Monday.

Deflation is such a threat that the European Central Bank has moved into negative interest rates to get cash flowing, and authorities are closely watching inflation rates in the hope that it will edge up towards the bank's target of nearly 2.0 per cent.

In foreign exchange, the British pound eased to $1.7021 from $1.7034 late on last Friday. The euro gained to 80.25 British pence from 80.09 pence last Friday.