European stocks fell today after five straight sessions of gains, with Wall Street also expected to track declines in Asia where a North Korean missile test rattled investors, and with bank stocks in focus.
By noon, the pan-European FTSEurofirst index of 300 leading shares was down 0.52 per cent at 1,314.58 points, having added 4.1 per cent between June 28th and yesterday's close.
"You've seen Asia come off on the Korea news, and we've had a terrific run so investors are going to take some risk off the table," said David Buik of Cantor Index.
Tokyo's Nikkei average fell 0.7 per cent as regional tension grew after North Korea test-fired at least six missiles today, including a long-range weapon said to be capable of reaching Alaska.
