Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Monday.
Financial shares were the weakest sector in the FTSEurofirst 300 index with Deutsche Bank falling 1.8 percent after sources familiar with the situation told Reuters it could take a $2.4 billion hit to its quarterly profit as a result of the credit market turmoil.
Deutsche Bank declined to comment. BNP Paribas fell 2.3 percent, Barclays dropped 2.8 percent and Royal Bank of Scotland fell 1.7 percent, accounting for the top three weighted losers on the FTSEurofirst 300. Belgian-Dutch financial group Fortis led the board of decliners in the FTSEurofirst index, falling about 5 percent ahead of a capital increase on Tuesday.
The FTSEurofirst index ended 0.03 percent lower at 1,545.77 points after reaching an intraday high at 1,550.98 and a low 1,541.79 points.