Stocks in London and mainland Europe opened in the red after a mixed trading session in the Far East.
The FTSE 100 Index was off 13.34 points at 6142 while Germany's Dax retreated 45 points and France's Cac-40 fell six points.
Chinese stocks trod water despite signs that authorities remain committed to stabilizing now volatile financial markets.
The Japanese Nikkei closed down despite data showing improved third quarter business confidence, with US demand offsetting Chinese concerns.
US markets recorded modest gains following falling import prices, lower weekly jobless claims and an oil price recovery.
The price of a barrel of Brent crude fell 1.6% to US$48.1 and US light crude was 1.8% off at US$45.1.
Despite that, BP (LON:BP.) gushed 3.15p higher to 338.45p, Royal Dutch Shell (LON:RDSB) lifted 8p to 1630.5p and BG Group (LON:BG.) inflated 3.8p to 992.9p.
In the UK, construction output data were expected to come in weaker, hitting their lowest growth rate in more than two years
JD Wetherspoon (LON:JDW) frothed up 13p to 733p as the pub group served up record sales despite lower annual profits.
Sula Iron & Gold (LON:SULA) softened 0.02p to 0.45p after it identified another potential source of iron ore at its Ferensola project in northern Sierra Leone.
E-commerce group Cloudbuy (LON:CBUY) dropped 1.25p to 17.5p on news that it may undershoot market expectations for the year to December 31.