European stock markets fluctuated between slight gains and losses on Friday as investors reacted to corporate earnings and economic data.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.25% by the close, with most major bourses higher. Sectors were mixed with mining stocks down 3.7%. Health care stocks climbed 1.8%.
German software firm SAP on Friday reported higher revenue and operating profit, ahead of a consensus forecast from the company. It revised annual profit guidance downward due to a divestment. Shares were up 5%.
Holcim, the Swiss maker of building materials, posted a rise in revenue and profit that was ahead of expectations and raised its guidance. Shares slipped 0.3%
Flash purchasing managers' index figures from S&P Global and Hamburg Commercial Bank showed the fastest growth in France's private sector since May 2022, though this was powered by services and factory production fell. Germany's business upturn was also led by services, though manufacturing output increased modestly.
U.K. retail data showed a 0.9% fall in sales volumes for March, below forecasts of a 0.5% decline, which retailers blamed in part on the unusually wet weather. Consumer confidence ticked higher, a widely watched GfK survey showed, though the authors noted "continuing concerns among consumers about their personal financial situation."
U.K. inflation figures earlier in the week came in hotter than expected, with headline inflation at 10.1% and food and non-alcoholic beverages up 19.2% on the previous year.
Investors also have an eye on May's monetary policy meetings, where the Federal Reserve and Bank of England are widely expected to enact one more interest rate hike before pausing. Comments from European Central Bank policymakers suggest they may continue beyond that, with its president, Christine Lagarde, saying Thursday the ECB "still has a bit of way to go" to bring back inflation toward its 2%Â target.
In Asia-Pacific, stock markets closed broadly lower, while in the U.S. stocks fell Friday morning as investors evaluated a week's worth of earnings results and concerns of disappointing profits.
