Europe stocks slide on weak commods, Credit Suisse

By Blaise Robinson

PARIS, March 20 (Reuters) - European stocks ended lower on Thursday, losing ground for the fifth time in six sessions as mining and energy shares retreated along with commodity prices on fears over demand and global economic growth.

Credit Suisse (CSGN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research) was the biggest laggard among Europe's blue chips, losing 6.4 percent after the Swiss lender warned it could report its first quarterly loss in five years.

But buoyant pharmaceutical stocks and a late rally among a number of European banks helped cushion the fall.

AstraZeneca (AZN.L: Quote, Profile, Research) rose 2 percent, Sanofi Aventis (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) gained 1.1 percent and Banco Santander (SAN.MC: Quote, Profile, Research) added 2 percent.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.3 percent lower at 1,226.67 points.

The index -- on track to record its worst quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2002 -- closed the roller-coaster week with a loss of 2.3 percent. Major European markets will be closed on Friday and Monday for the Easter holiday.

Miners and oil firms took a beating, with Anglo American (AAL.L: Quote, Profile, Research) sinking 8.1 percent, Xstrata XTA.PA losing 6.3 percent and Total (TOTF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) slipping 2.2 percent.

U.S. crude oil futures CLc1 fell below $100 a barrel, touching their lowest level in two weeks as fears over the health of the U.S. economy prompted investors to book profits following a recent surge in crude prices.