VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - French shares fell sharply after a lackluster open Friday, as the oil rally paused before the U.S. rigs count data and mixed messages from Fed officials clouded the outlook for interest rates.
Investors are hoping that Fed Chair Janet Yellen's speech next week may offer some clarity on the U.S. interest rate trajectory going forward.
The benchmark CAC 40 was down 38 points or 0.86 percent at 4,398 in late opening deals after gaining 0.4 percent on Thursday in reaction to dovish Fed minutes.
Banks fell broadly, with BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale Group losing about 2 percent each.
Automakers Renault and Peugeot dropped over 1 percent each as the dollar hovered near an eight-week low against the euro.
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