European shares have edged lower as escalating shipping concerns in the strategic Strait of Hormuz dampened investor sentiment, while market participants assessed a wave of corporate earnings reports, Reuters reports.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index declined 0.2pc to 612.98 points as of 07:18am GMT, reflecting broader market caution.

Most of the major regional markets mirrored this downward trend, with Germany’s DAX and London’s FTSE 100 dropping 0.2pc and 0.5pc, respectively.