London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of top shares dipped 0.87 percent at 5,665.24 points and Frankfurt's DAX 30 sank 1.20 percent to 7,087.59, while the French market opening was delayed.

In Milan, the main Italian index fell by more than 2.0 percent after Moody's issued a warning about Italy's credit rating.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011