European markets opened slightly Lower, as investors observed heightened geopolitical tensions over the Korean Peninsula and awaited monetary policy guidance from the Federal Reserve.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 edged down by around 0.21 percent shortly after the opening bell, with almost all sectors and major bourses in negative territory.

The Fed is expected to keep interest rates unchanged after its two-day meeting while many analysts have suggested it could announce plans to begin unwinding its USD 4.5 trillion balance sheet.