Europe: Volatile trade

LONDON: European shares edged lower yesterday in volatile trade as quarterly options expired, with investors awaiting more US data, which has been the compass for markets in recent sessions.

By 1122GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 was down 4.13 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 1,203.70, but the index was set to post a fifth consecutive weekly gain.

"Equities have been offered lower after another strong weekly performance as the options expiry gives way to some intraday volatility," Matt Basi, sales trader at CMC Markets, said.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was down 0.1 per cent at 6,521 while Germany's DAX fell the same rate to 8,057. The CAC-40 in France underperformed its peers, trading 0.5 per cent lower at 3,851. Agencies