European stocks deflate at open

London - Europe's main stock markets weakened at the start of trade on Thursday, as investors took profits from the previous day's strong rally.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of major blue-chip companies was down 0.5% at 7 091.12 points.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 dropped 0.2% to 11 419.61 points and the Paris CAC 40 sagged 0.3% to 5 076.55.

However, most Asian indices continued higher on Thursday, tracking fresh Wall Street gains and following a Chinese pledge to support the world's number two economy.

Global stock markets rallied on Wednesday with no "Halloween horrors" as investors were boosted by runaway US consumer confidence and upbeat corporate earnings, dealers said.