European stocks mixed at open

Europe's main stock markets were mixed at the start of trading Tuesday with investors unphased by a US government shutdown. London's benchmark FTSE 100 index dipped 0.06 percent to 6,458.37 points, the CAC 40 in Paris grew 0.16 percent to 4,150.04 points and Frankfurt's DAX 30 rose 0.28 percent to 8,618.59. Asian markets closed mixed Tuesday after political gridlock in Washington triggered the first US government shutdown in 17 years, while upbeat regional economic data provided some cheer, traders said. The dollar edged back down against the yen, with investors saying the Capitol Hill stand-off made it less likely the Federal Reserve would start winding down its stimulus programme soon. The US government shut down at midnight Washington time (0400 GMT) as Republicans and Democrats refused to give ground to reach a budget deal. World markets had expected the deadline to pass with no breakthrough and shares had fallen in previous sessions. The US closure will see about 800,000 federal staff told to stay at home, leading to the closure of numerous agencies in the first shutdown since 1996 that President Barack Obama warned will hit a budding recovery in the world's biggest economy.