Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
Swiss bank Credit Suisse fell 2.6 percent to 38.8 francs and led banks lower after a disappointing update, while Germany's Commerzbank also dampened the market mood with a muted outlook.
Air France lost 3.8 percent and Deutsche Lufthansa slumped 3.2 percent as high oil prices spelt earnings worries for the struggling sector, already fighting cut-throat competition and deep cost cuts.
The FTSE Eurotop 300 index of pan-European blue chips fell 0.8 percent to 975.8 points - just 2.5 percent below the year's low of 951.95 points.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 8.4 points to close at 3,546.0.
The JSE ALL Share Index gained 0.14 percent or 14.56 points to 10,447.73 points. The All Gold index closed at 1,715.81 points, down 6.18 or 0.36 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 7,386.13 points, down 14.62 or 0.20 percent.