Markets mixed on ratings cuts of eurozone countries

European stock markets have opened slightly higher following falls in Asia after Standard & Poor's (S&P) cut the credit rating for France and a number of other European countries.

The main French and German indexes were up about 0.3%, while the UK's FTSE 100 was flat.

Earlier, Japan's Nikkei index fell 1.5%, South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.8%, while Australia's ASX lost 1.2%.

Analysts warn markets will be volatile until the eurozone issues are resolved.

Source: BBC