Europe Roundup: Equities steady

LONDON: European stock markets steadied yesterday as traders awaited the outcome of a meeting on fallout from Greece's shock debt referendum call, which had sent equities plunging a day earlier.

Investors were also on alert over rising eurozone debt pressure on Italy and ahead of the Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy announcements, a day before the G20 meets to discuss Europe's raging crisis.

Markets were firmer yesterday as traders hoped for "a positive outcome from the meeting," Spreadex trader Simon Furlong said.

"It should not be mistaken for any serious correction, there has been no positive news out as of yet."

In midday trade, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index dropped 0.29 per cent to 5,405.79 points, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 added 0.87 per cent to 5,886.91 points and in Paris the CAC 40 gained 0.77 per cent to 3,092.87. - AFP