By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch
European stock markets are closed on Friday and Monday
LONDON (MarketWatch)--European stock markets closed mostly lower
on Thursday but managed to eke out modest gains in the
Easter-shortened week. European markets are closed Friday and
Monday for the Easter holidays.
Thursday's trading action was marked by the markets flitting
between small gains and losses as investors appeared reluctant to
take any sizable positions ahead of the holidays and the closely
watched U.S. nonfarm payrolls, which will be released on Good
Friday.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index slipped 0.2% to 397.80, paring its
weekly gain to roughly 0.6%.
Other indexes: Germany's DAX 30 index lost 0.3% to 11,967.39,
but was on track for a weekly advance of 0.8%.
France's CAC 40 index stood out as one the few gainers in
Thursday trading, tacking on about 0.2% to 5,074.14, and ending the
week up about 0.8%. The FTSE also gained on the day
(http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid).
Greek reforms: Greece's Athex Composite Index moved fitfully on
Thursday swinging to a 0.8% gain to end at 771.32. Earlier in the
day the Athens index had been showing losses. 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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