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European shares fall on Omicron fears but post best week since March
European stocks fell, on concern about the mutated Omicron strain of the Corona virus, while US inflation data, which broadly matched expectations, failed to dispel uncertainty about US monetary policy.
The European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.3%, recording a decline for the third consecutive session, amid fears that measures to limit the spread of Omicron would affect the economic recovery.
However, strong gains over two days at the beginning of the week made the index record its best weekly gain since March, rising by 2.8%.
Friday's data showed that consumer prices in the United States rose 6.8%, the largest increase on an annual basis since June 1982, after rising by 6.2% in October.
Technology and retail stocks were the biggest losers in Europe on Friday.
