The STOXX Europe 600 Basic Resources index fell 3.4 percent, the top sectoral decliner, as a firmer dollar made metals costlier for holders of other currencies and dragged down prices of major industrial metals. Shares in Anglo American, Glencore, Rio Tinto and Fresnillo fell 3.9 to 6.2 percent.

Equity markets are moving into the Easter holiday long weekend on a more cautious note, with a stronger dollar following some hawkish Fed comments weighing on the commodities space.

The STOXX Europe 600 Oil and Gas index also fell 1.8 percent, dragged down by a 1.6 to 2.1 percent drop in shares of Royal Dutch Shell, Total and BP.

ENERGY

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   11:01 PM – 24 Mar 2016
   

   OIL UPDATE: falls coincide with low trading VOL ahead of the Easter weekend holidays, so price fluctuations are likely to be pronounced.

    
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   11:00 PM – 24 Mar 2016
   

   OIL UPDATE: Brent crude, trading down 1.7% at $39.78 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate, is trading down 1.81% at $39.07 on NYMEX

    
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   10:59 PM – 24 Mar 2016
   

   OIL UPDATE: Oil falls as US stock piles resurfaced in a market that has been buoyed by hopes of a freeze in productio