European shares slump, led by commodity stocks, banks

LONDON/MILAN, Jan 20 (Reuters) - European stocks dropped on Wednesday as a relentless slide in oil prices hit world markets, with a leading regional European equity index falling to a 15-month low. Several traders and investors said it remained too risky to buy into the stock market at present, given concerns about the global economy and the weak oil price, while some flagged hopes of central bank moves to help calm nerves. The European Central Bank holds its policy meeting on Thursday.