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Investors are also awaiting the outcome of a key vote in Washington on president Barack Obama's multi-billion dollar economic stimulus package.
The outcome of a vote on the proposals could be key to how many trader's stock market investment decisions.
Justin Urquhart Stewart, director of an investment management firm, said of the stimulus package: "This is the world's biggest casino throw we've ever seen.
"There is no certainty in this market."
In early trading, the UK's FTSE 100 index of leading shares fell by 0.3 per cent, while Germany's DAX dropped by 0.7 per cent and the French CAC index shed 0.6 per cent, reports Reuters.
It has also been reported that shares in Barclays have gone up by 6.4 per cent after it recorded pre-tax profits of £6.1 billion.
