European stocks drop; London off record high

European stock markets fell Wednesday, taking the steam out of a rally that pushed London to record highs the previous day. London's benchmark FTSE 100 index dropped 0.36 percent to stand at 6,924.30 points around midday in the British capital. "Once again the FTSE appears to be suffering from stage fright as the looming 7,000 level, for so long predicted to be broken, has yet again proven to be a step too far," said Alastair McCaig, market analyst at IG trading group. Europe'