World stocks sag despite data

World stocks slipped Thursday despite upbeat economic data, as investors questioned whether any recovery would prove sustainable.

In Europe, Germany's DAX closed down 51.64 points, or 0.9 percent, at 5,470.33, while Britain's FTSE 100 fell 21.23 points, or 0.4 percent, at 4,869.35. France's CAC-40 was off 19.81 points, or 0.5 percent, to 3,648.53.

Wall Street likewise showed a lack of momentum, with the Dow industrial average sliding 34.99 points, or 0.4 percent, to 9,508.53 and the Standard & Poor's 500 falling 6.0 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,022.12 despite stronger U.S. growth data.

Official figures on Thursday showed the U.S. economy …