European stocks slide at open

Europe`s main stock markets slid at the start of trading on Thursday following losses in Asia and on Wall Street in the wake of poorly-received US economic data.

London`s benchmark FTSE 100 index dropped 0.53 percent to 6,953.98 points.

Frankfurt`s DAX 30 index shed 1.09 percent to 11,736.34 points and the CAC 40 in Paris lost 0.57 percent to stand at 4,992.55 compared with Wednesday`s close.

Investors ran for the sidelines, first in New York on Wednesday, after the US Commerce Department said durable goods orders fell in February.

The news will likely put back the US Federal Reserve`s timeline on when to raise interest rates, while fuelling fears about the global outlook according to analysts.