The European Union ratcheted up pressure Tuesday on the U.K. to trigger negotiations to leave the bloc and end the uncertainty that has rattled stock markets.

World stock benchmarks stabilized Tuesday after days of stomach-churning swings as investors started shaking off the jitters from Britain's vote to quit the European Union and its messy aftermath.

The impact of Britain's vote to leave the European Union was swift and painful for some small businesses in the U.K.