European stocks opened the week lower after regulatory worries hit Asian markets and ahead of a busy week for corporate earnings and economic data.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was down 0.36% in early trade with all major regional bourses following suit.
Investors were preparing for a deluge of corporate earnings in Europe and the US, providing a snapshot of the strength of any recovery from the Covid pandemic.
US second-quarter GDP figures are also due out later this week along with a two-day meeting of the Federal Reserve.
In equity news, Porsche slid 4.5% as the stock went ex-dividend, while French car parts maker Faurecia slipped 1.1% despite raising its 2021 net cash flow target.
Dutch technology investor Prosus, which has a 28.9% stake in Chinese internet giant Tencent, fell 6.8% to the bottom of the Stoxx after Beijing intensified its regulatory crackdown on Tencent.
Meanwhile, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier Ryanair topped the index with a 3% rise as it lifted full-year traffic forecasts on strong summer bookings.
