European
stocks traded mixed ahead of the release of U.S. nonfarm payrolls. Analysts
expect that the unemployment rate should decrease to 6.6% in April from 6.7% in
March and 211,000 jobs should be added in April.
Market
participants were disappointed by Spain’s manufacturing purchasing managers'
index (PMI). The index dropped to 52.7 in April from 52.8 in March. Analysts
expected an increase to 53.4. But Eurozone’s PMI was higher. The index climbed
to 53.4 in April from 53.0 in March (forecast: 53.3). Eurozone’s unemployment
decreased slightly in March. The unemployment rate dropped to 11.8% from 11.9%
in February (forecast: 11.9%).
Royal Bank
of Scotland Group Plc shares increased 9.1% after announcing the
better-than-expected quarter earnings. Company’ net income tripled in the first
quarter of the year.
InterContinental
Hotels Group Plc was higher 7.5% after announcing the growth of 6% in the first
quarter.
Current
figures:
Name Price Change Change %
FTSE
100 6,815.16
+6.29 +0.09%
DAX 9,590 -13.23 -0.14%
CAC 40 4,466.99 -20.40 -0.45%