LONDON, March 10: European stock markets closed lower on Monday as a steadier start after recent heavy losses came undone when a fresh spike in oil prices added to growing concerns the US economy risk going into recession.

An indifferent start on Wall Street after a fall of 1.21 per cent on Friday when sentiment was hit by a much weaker-than-expected employment report provided no support, sending European stocks lower.

In London, the FTSE 100 index closed down 1.24 per cent to 5,629.10 points, the CAC 40 in Paris shed 1.13 per cent to 4,566.99 points while in Frankfurt the Dax lost 1.01 per cent to 6,448.08 points.

The Euro Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone shares fell 0.85 per cent to 3,546.10 points.

On Wall Street, shares turned lower in midday trade.—AFP