European stocks fell in early trade on Wednesday, led by heavyweight mining and banking shares, halting a two-session rally as renewed concerns over Greece's finances rattled investors ahead of euro zone GDP data.
Renault dropped 1.4 percent, while Daimler added 0.2 percent after the two carmakers and Renault's partner Nissan Motor unveiled a partnership deal to swap stakes and jointly develop cars.
At 0800 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was down 0.2 percent at 1,099.78 points.
Europe's benchmark index, which hit an 18-month closing high for a second session in a row on Tuesday, is up 5.3 percent so far this year.
"The rebound in the United States is well supported by a strong economic recovery, but it's more complicated in Europe, and the recent gains remain fragile," said Christian Jimenez, fund manager and president of Diamant Bleu Gestion in Paris.
"The weaker euro might have had some positive effects, but it's definitively not favorable to investments and risk taking. I remain bullish on stocks, but vigilant and ready to get out if the wind changes direction."
The euro drifted lower again on Wednesday, as renewed Greek debt worries weighed on the currency.
Concerns over Greece's capacity to resolve its debt crisis resurfaced after reports the country was seeking to amend a safety net from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.
European credit derivatives indexes widened, with the investment-grade Markit iTraxx Europe index at 78 basis points on Wednesday morning, according to data from Markit. That is 1.5 basis points wider than late on Tuesday, according to data from BGC Partners.
The Markit iTraxx Crossover index, made up of 50 mostly "junk"-rated credits, was at 423.25 basis points, 6.25 basis points wider.
Heavyweight banking shares lost ground, with BNP Paribas down 1.2 percent, UBS down 1.6 percent, Societe Generale down 1.4 percent and Banco Popolare down 1.3 percent.
Hedge fund firm Man Group soared 6.6 percent, reaching a more than two-month high after its main fund AHL posted a 3.8 percent rise in net asset value last week.
Mining shares fell along with copper prices. BHP Billiton dropped 2.1 percent, Antofagasta slipped 1.8 percent and Eurasian shed 1.2 percent.
Around Europe, the UK's FTSE 100 index was down 0.3 percent, Germany's DAX index down 0.1 percent, and France's CAC 40 had shed 0.2 percent.
On the upside, Nokia added 1.2 percent after UBS upgraded its recommendation on the stock to "buy" from "neutral".
