London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of major blue-chip companies retreated by 0.4 percent to 7,065.10 points, compared with the closing level on Friday.

In the eurozone, Paris' benchmark CAC 40 index was down by 0.3 percent at 5,334.20 and Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.2 percent to 11,630.20 points, compared with the closing levels on Monday.