Reuters_ European stocks declined on Friday, dragged down by a fall in luxury goods group Kering following its earnings report, while rising oil prices and political uncertainty in France heightened investor caution.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.13 percent to 636.50 points by 0718 GMT, after recording its largest single-day drop in three weeks on Thursday, heading towards a weekly loss.
Kering's shares plunged 10.4 percent after third-quarter sales at its flagship brand, Gucci, dropped, dashing hopes for a successful turnaround plan.
On the other hand, shares of Swiss cement maker Holcim jumped 5.2 percent after the company raised its annual profit guidance following quarterly sales and earnings that beat expectations.
Optimism driven by a generally strong earnings season for European companies offset concerns over social unrest in France, which pushed the yield on ten-year French bonds to a 24-year high this week, while a sell-off in AI-related stocks added further pressure on markets.
Oil prices rose, with Brent crude trading near multi-month highs.
