Major European stock markets opened lower on Friday after the release of German and Swiss reports on their retail sales in January, as well as the French reports on the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation rate. Investors also digested the United Kingdom's report on house prices and anticipated inflation reports from Germany and Italy, as well as Germany's unemployment report.
The DAX declined by 0.68% at the opening bell, as Zalando lost 4.05% at 9:00 am CET, while the FTSE 100 fell by 0.43%, with Polar Capital Technology Trust slipping by 3.04%. At the same time, the CAC 40 dropped by 0.63%, as STMicroelectronics slid by 2.88%. The Euro Stoxx 50 decreased by 0.89% at the open, with ASML Holding down by 3.52% at 9:01 am CET.
The euro was flat against the dollar and sold for $1.03973 at 8:58 am CET. Meanwhile, the pound was down by 0.18% at 8:59 CET, selling for $1.25896.
