LONDON, Jan 5: European stock markets extended losses on Friday at the end of mixed week that saw indices begin 2007 by striking the highest points for almost six years.
Market players were meanwhile gearing up for publication of the December non-farm payrolls figures in the United States later Friday.
London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares fell 0.23 per cent to 6,272.80 points, in Frankfurt the DAX 30 index slid 0.42 per cent to 6,646.45 points and the Paris CAC 40 lost 0.24 per cent to 5,560.91 points.
The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone blue chip shares declined 0.38 per cent to 4,161.80 points. The euro stood at 1.3094 dollars.
Europe's main equity markets had begun the year by closing at their highest levels since the first half of 2001 on a wave of positive New Year sentiment.
Fervent takeover activity and strong company earnings had helped to drive European stocks strongly higher during 2006.
Last year, Germany's DAX 30 surged by 22 per cent in value, the CAC 40 jumped 17.5 per cent and the FTSE 100 won 10.7 per cent.
US stocks, which hit also record highs in 2006, put on a late closing spurt Thursday as oil prices tumbled on milder winter temperatures, despite mixed sales reports from large retailers following the Christmas holiday.
While falling crude prices can reduce company's transport costs they are not helpful for energy companies, who suffer from falling profits.
World oil prices have dived about 7.0 per cent since the start of trading on Wednesday, with Brent North Sea crude slumping to $54.76 the lowest point since December 1, 2005.
Crude prices have tumbled since the start of the New Year as unseasonably warm US weather curbs demand for heating oil in the northeast United States, the world's most energy-hungry region.
Energy shares meanwhile fell in European trade, with Scottish and Southern Energy shedding 2.78pc to 1,502 pence in London.
On Thursday in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.05 per cent at 12,480.69 points and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite finished 1.25 per cent higher at 2,453.43.—AFP
