European stocks drop on UK economic data

PARIS (AP) — European stock markets fell Wednesday as investors weighed worsening signs of recession in Europe's third largest economy and heightened fears that negotiations on avoiding a Greek debt default had hit an impasse.

Stock indices in Germany, France, Italy and elsewhere were each down around 1 percent at midday, even as Asian shares rallied overnight as Apple Inc.'s stellar earnings report sent technology shares sharply higher.

France's CAC-40 index was down 1 percent at 3,290 and Germany's DAX was 0.7 percent at 6,375, while Britain's FTSE 100 index was down 0.6 percent at 5,715.

Stocks were falling as key Greek bondholders met for a closed-door meeting in …