America News Agency

The regional Stoxx 600 index opened 0.3 percent lower, with almost all sectors declining. Chemicals fell 0.87 percent as utilities nudged 0.15 percent higher.

That has put even more focus on the remaining U.S. jobs releases this week, particularly initial jobless claims on Thursday, nonfarm payrolls, and the unemployment rate on Friday. A weak July jobs report was a major factor in the broad stock sell-off starting in August.

The technology sector has also pulled down markets this week, losing 3.2 percent in Europe on Wednesday.

U.S. chipmaking giant Nvidia suffered a massive wipeout on Tuesday, which pulled down chip stocks worldwide. On Wednesday, the company denied reports that it had received a subpoena from the Department of Justice over antitrust concerns.

On Wall Street, index futures changed a little in the early hours of Thursday after a turbulent start to September.

Asia-Pacific markets also extended losses, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 suffering the steepest decline after wages recorded softer growth in August, potentially offering the Bank of Japan more room for a rate hike.