India, Oct. 23 -- France's equity benchmark CAC 40 shed ground on Friday with investors making cautious moves, reacting to corporate earnings updates and flash data showing a contraction in the nation's services sector activity in the month of October. Concerns over fiscal woes and worries about persisting tensions in the Middle East and elevated oil prices hurt sentiment.

Oil prices climbed higher amid persisting tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude front-month futures climbed to $114.72 a barrel, before easing to around $114.33, still up more than 1% from previous close.

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