Europe Roundup: Broadly lower

LONDON: European stocks tumbled and the euro slid against the dollar yesterday after Moody's warned that its credit rating for France could be put on negative outlook, reigniting eurozone debt fears.

Shares were also hit by weaker-than-expected Chinese growth data, news which weighed heavily on Asia-Pacific shares, while investors were nervous before the release of results from Goldman Sachs and Bank of America.

"If China slows down, all other bets are off ...," said Ian King head of international equities at Legal & General.

The Paris CAC 40 dived 1.68 per cent to 3,114.35 points in midday trade after Moody's warned it may place a negative outlook on its Aaa credit rating for France.

Elsewhere, London's FTSE 100 index dropped 1.14 per cent to 5,375.41 and Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.53 per cent to 5,828.85.

At 1116 GMT, the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index was down 1 per cent at 956.84 points. - Agencies