Brussels, October 23 (QNA) - European stock indices closed lower today, posting their steepest weekly loss since early September. The decline reflected caution over the social and political situation in France and rising oil prices, despite an improvement in corporate earnings forecasts.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.31% to close at 635.77 points, bringing its weekly decline to approximately 1.4%.

Germany's DAX led the losses, falling 0.8% to 25,152.31 points. France's CAC 40 declined 0.3% to 7,782.82 points, while the UK's FTSE 100 also slipped 0.3% to close at 10,690.36 points. (QNA)