European stocks fall on renewed economic worries

PARIS, Feb 7 (Reuters) - European stocks dropped to their lowest close in two weeks on Thursday as a rate cut by the Bank of England and a more dovish tone from the European Central Bank failed to soothe worries about a global economic downturn.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares unofficially closed 1.8 percent lower at 1,297.72 points. Europe's benchmark index has lost nearly 14 percent so far in 2008, dragged lower by fears of a U.S. recession.

Tech shares were among the worst hammered, led by Infineon (IFXGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research). The German chipmaker tumbled 14 percent after saying its Com phone chips unit would remain unprofitable over the full fiscal year.

(Reporting by Blaise Robinson)