The FTSE 100 <.FTSE> fell 0.5 percent while the Euro zone STOXX 50 index <.STOXX50E> lost 1.4 percent and Milan <.FTMIB> sank 3.7 percent.

Insulated from concerns over Italy and the euro zone, the top UK index ended the month with a 1 percent gain but was down 1.6 percent on the quarter after three months of turmoil in Brexit negotiations.

Financials weighed the most with RSA Insurance Group falling 8 percent after it reported an underwriting loss of about 70 million pounds in the third quarter due to bad weather, large losses and claims.

British insurers have taken a beating from a run of volatile weather, with the hottest summer in living memory following a blast of icy weather earlier in the year dubbed the "Beast from the East".

"Negatively, although the Solvency II coverage ratio is above its targeted range, management said these losses could impact the dividend growth decision for the full year," wrote KBW analysts.

Easyjet shares fell 0.9 percent despite the budget carrier forecasting annual profit at the upper end of expectations, as it benefited from robust flight demand and cancellations at bigger rival Ryanair in 2018.

"Good numbers from EasyJet, with profits for the full year seen at the top end of guidance, but doubts about 2019 have weighed on the stock," wrote Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com.

Randgold Resources ended the day up 3.6 percent, the top FTSE 100 riser.

Having fallen earlier in the session after Congo's state miner warned Randgold it would "assert its rights" in the DRC-based Kibali mine in the planned acquisition by Barrick Gold, the stock recovered after Randgold refuted the miner's claim.

Among mid-caps outsourcer Serco was a top performer, up 11.8 percent after it reported full-year profit and revenue above market expectations.

(Reporting by Julien Ponthus and Helen Reid; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)

By Julien Ponthus and Helen Reid