Higher Crude Oil Prices, Weak Economic Data Weigh On French Stocks

(RTTNews) - The French stock market's benchmark index CAC 40 slipped into negative territory on Wednesday, failing to hold early gains, as oil prices climbed higher on supply concerns amid lingering uncertainty about Iran and U.S. reaching a deal to end their conflict anytime soon. Data showing an acceleration in French inflation in the month of September weighed as well on sentiment. Brent crude futures for December delivery climbed to $97.70 a barrel, and were up 1.2% at $97.30 a barrel a little while ago. Lingering concerns about energy supply due to a lack of progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz continued to render the oil market quite volatile. The CAC 40, which climbed to 8,068.51 earlier, was down 41.