Europe's stock markets closed flat

Europe’s stock markets closed flat

Frankfurt — European markets ended Wednesday’s shortened trading session little changed, with thin volumes and subdued price action ahead of the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays.

Several major markets will remain closed on Thursday and Friday, including those in Germany, France, the UK and Switzerland, contributing to muted trading conditions.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 edged down 0.01%. Britain’s FTSE 100 added 0.03%, while France’s CAC 40 closed flat. Markets in Germany and Switzerland were already shut.

In Paris, Kering rose 1.1%, while Eurofins Scientific, LVMH, Hermès International, ArcelorMittal, Carrefour and L’Oréal gained between 0.3% and 0.9%. Edenred fell 1.3%, and Dassault Systèmes, TotalEnergies, Accor, Safran, Engie and Sanofi slipped between 0.3% and 0.45%.

London stocks were mixed. Schroders climbed 1.8%, while Pershing Square Holdings, Persimmon, Melrose Industries, Metlen Energy & Metals, Entain, F&C Investment Trust and Anglo American gained between 0.6% and 1.1%. Games Workshop and Fresnillo both fell about 1.4%, while Rolls-Royce Holdings ended nearly 1% lower.

Admiral Group, Burberry Group, Sage Group, Auto Trader Group and IAG declined between 0.6% and 1%. Lloyds Banking Group shed 0.4% on heavy trading, with volumes exceeding 24.3 million shares.