European stock markets slid in opening deals on Tuesday, with London stumbling out of the gates after a three-day weekend.
London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of major blue-chip companies retreated by 0.4% 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% at 5 334.20 and Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.2% to 11 630.20 points, compared with the closing levels on Monday.