Europe stocks post first monthly drop since June

* FTSEurofirst 300 index down 2.1 pct on day, and month

* Banks fall as U.S. mixed economic data weighs

* Commodities slip as crude, metals prices retreat

By Joanne Frearson

LONDON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - European shares fell sharply on Friday on mixed U.S. data and as traders booked profits while a key index reversed its monthly rising trend for the first time since June.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top shares closed down 2.1 percent at 976.46 points after hitting 1,002.60 points earlier.

The index, up more than 51 percent from its lifetime low in early March, closed out October down 2.1 percent after gaining in the previous three months.

"I think today a lot of people are settling up positions for the end of the month. A lot of people are using yesterday's gains as an opportunity to close out profits at a higher level," said Joshua Raymond, market strategist at City Index.

"Potentially next week it is going to be a crucial for the market and could help determine how the market finishes for the rest of the year. We have got the MPC rate decision, the ECB, the FOMC and non-farm payrolls on Friday. A lot of people are settling up positions and focusing towards next week," he said.

The market was knocked after U.S. consumer sentiment slipped this month, though business activity in the U.S. Midwest expanded in October to the highest level since September 2008. [ID:nN30349339] [ID:nN30412996]

Banks retreated from earlier gains and took the most points off the index. Banco Santander (SAN.MC), BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) and Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) were down 3.1 to 4.3 percent.

However, Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) gained 1.2 percent, benefiting from plans to raise capital as an alternative to a government-backed scheme to insure bad debts, prompting Credit Suisse and Exane BNP Paribas to up their ratings.

COMMODITIES UNDER PRESSURE

Energy stocks featured among the worst performers as crude CLc1 fell back 3.1 percent. BG Group (BG.L), BP (BP.L), Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) and Total (TOTF.PA) were down 2.4 to 3.4 percent.

Miners were under pressure as metal prices slipped. Copper MCU3=LX was down 2.6 percent, aluminium MAL3=LX fell 2 percent and nickel MNI3=LX lost 2.4 percent.