By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch
European stock markets are closed on Friday and Monday
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets seesawed between
small gains and losses on Thursday, with investors staying on the
sidelines ahead of the Easter holidays and the closely watched U.S.
nonfarm payrolls on Friday.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index slipped 0.2% to 397.59, paring its
weekly gain to 0.5%. Investors were cautious of placing any big
bets ahead of the U.S. jobs report, which European markets won't
get a chance to react to until Tuesday. Most are closed on Friday
and Monday
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/when-are-european-stock-markets-closed-for-easter-2015-04-02)
due to the Easter holidays.
Trading in Denmark, Norway and Iceland was also closed on
Thursday for the holidays.
Other indexes: Germany's DAX 30 index slipped 0.1% to 11,992.45,
but was on track for a 1% weekly advance. France's CAC 30 index
added 0.1% to 5,067.58, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 index climbed
0.1% (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid) to
6,818.21.
Greek reforms: Greece's Athex Composite Index erased an earlier
gain and fell 0.5% to 761.92. Late Wednesday, Athens handed over a
more detailed plan
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/greece-delivers-more-details-on-bailout-proposals-2015-04-02)
for revising its bailout program to its EU lenders and the
International Monetary Fund. The move is the latest attempt by the
Greek government to unlock the next portion of its bailout money,
needed for it to avoid potentially running out of cash later this
month.
Hopes for an imminent deal have been fading, however, with
officials in Brussels and Athens suggesting that the Eurogroup of
finance ministers won't meet until April 24.
Movers and shakers: Shares of Marks & Spencer Group PLC
(MAKSY) climbed 4.8% after the retailer reported a rise in
fourth-quarter sales
(http://www.marketwatch.com/story/marks-spencer-rallies-6-after-upbeat-sales-report-2015-04-02)
and said its food business outperformed the market.
Paddy Power PLC rose 2.6% after Exane BNP Paribas lifted the
bookmaker to neutral from underperform. The French bank further cut
Betfair Group PLC, another gambling company, to underperform from
outperform, sending the shares 2.5% lower.
Sugar producer Tate & Lyle PLC gained 2.7% after reporting
full-year results in line with expectations.
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