US stock markets closed for holiday on Monday while European shares drifted lower in a subdued start to the week.
The British FTSE 100 lost 0.64 percent. The German Dax retreated 0.53 percent. And the French CAC 40 dropped 0.48 percent. European markets had opened positive. But in the afternoon, the gains turned into losses. Global stock markets had a volatile start to the New Year.