European stocks sag at open

Europe's stock markets declined in opening trade on Thursday, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index down 0.2% at 7 368.61 points.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 lost 0.3% to 12 002.78 points and the Paris CAC 40 shed almost 0.1% to 5 255.28, compared with the closing levels on Wednesday.

Asian equities also suffered fresh losses on Thursday, extending the previous day's rout as concerns about contagion from emerging markets fray investor nerves.

Investor sentiment was also dented by the possibility of further US tariffs on China.