Paris - Following big losses on Wall Street and on Asian markets overnight, the Paris Bourse opened sharply lower on Wednesday, as global stock markets remained volatile.

Shortly after opening, the benchmark CAC 40 was down 2.86 per cent, to 3,376.05, with only one of its 40 listed stocks gaining ground.

Industrials were the hardest-hit, with steel-makers ArcelorMittal and Vallourec off by 5.21 and 4.38 per cent, respectively.

Sinking oil prices were weighing on energy shares, with GDF Suez down 4.29 per cent and oil giant Total falling by 3.86 per cent. (dpa)