French stocks fall over 1% as violent protests weigh on sentiment

French stocks led European market losses Monday following violent protests over the weekend, while investors awaited a busy week of corporate earnings.

France's benchmark CAC 40 index fell 1.1% as of 0800GMT as unrest over rising living costs and deteriorating public services added to concerns about weak economic growth and mounting debt.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index declined 0.63% to 640.68 points, after gaining more than 2% last week.

Mass demonstrations took place across France last Saturday against the rising cost of living and high fuel prices.

Around 2,400 people were taken into custody nationwide, while about 1,000 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured.

A demonstrator died after becoming ill in Paris, while a 17-year-old boy lost his right hand to a crowd-control grenade in Saint-Etienne.

Across European markets, banking shares were among the hardest hit, with the eurozone banking index dropping 1.4%. Spain's bank-heavy IBEX 35 index fell 1.21%.

Investors were also awaiting results from major European and US companies after artificial intelligence-related stocks sold off last week amid concerns about rising debt to finance infrastructure investment.

Among individual stocks, Norwegian salmon producer Mowi gained 4.1% after its third-quarter harvest volumes reached a record high.