European markets took their lead from a downbeat session in Asia today as investors continued to fret over global economic prospects.
Sentiment was driven by the World Bank's downward revision of growth forecasts for Asia, while there were also falling commodity prices and a mixed finish on Wall Street on Friday despite positive employment news.
The FTSE 100 Index stood 43.7 points lower at 5827.1, while the Dax and Cac in Germany and France respectively were down by more than 1%.
There were only two risers in the top flight, while copper miner Evraz topped the fallers board with a decline of 9.35p to 244.75p.
Corporate updates did little to lighten the mood after profit warnings from materials business Cookson, whose shares slid 14%, and recruitment firm Michael Page International.
Cookson warned that profits will be materially below hopes due to difficult conditions in its engineered ceramics division. Shares fell 84.25p to 530.75p.
And the poor economic conditions left their mark on Michael Page after it said full-year operating profits were likely to be slightly below current market forecasts of just under £68 million.
It also reported third quarter profits of £126.5 million, down 8% on the previous three months. Shares fell 14.15p to 350.8p, a drop of 4%.
The pound at 9am was 1.6083 dollars compared to 1.6195 dollars at the previous close. The euro at 9am was 0.8067 pounds compared to 0.8060 pounds at the previous close.
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