Paris - European stocks were steady in early trading on Thursday, taking a breather from a sharp two-month rally, with Allianz falling after its dividend rise disappointed.
Shares in Europe's largest insurer fell 2.6%, the biggest losers among blue-chips, as it raised its dividend by less than expected and results in asset management stalled following client defections at its US unit Pimco.
Greek banking shares fell, dragged by renewed worries over the country's ability to make debt repayments to the IMF and the European Central Bank (ECB) this year.