European equities closed sharply lower Friday following a slew of data releases and as uncertainty over Greece weighed on sentiment.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed around 1.8 percent lower, having extended losses throughout the session.

London's FTSE 100 index closed provisionally down 1.0 percent, with the French CAC unofficially down 2.6 percent and the German DAX down 2.3 percent.



AB Foods was the best performer on the FTSE 100, with shares closing up 2.6 percent after Goldman Sachs raised the stock's price target and rating to buy from sell.



With Friday the last trading day of May, the STOXX 600 ended the month around 1 percent higher.