European Markets Finished Little Changed At The End Of The Week

(RTTNews) - The European markets were stuck in a sideways trend throughout Friday's session, fluctuating between small gains and losses. The markets ended the day with mixed results, but were little changed overall. The lackluster performance came at the end of what had been a very profitable week of trading.

Disappointing economic data from China and the United States had a negative impact on investor sentiment Friday. Meanwhile, data from the Eurozone was largely positive. Eurozone industrial output climbed more than anticipated and German GDP figures for the second quarter came in slightly higher than expected.

The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index dipped 0.12 percent. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks decreased 0.13 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, lost 0.25 percent.

The DAX of Germany dropped 0.27 percent and the CAC 40 of France fell 0.08 percent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. gained 0.02 percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished lower by 0.01 percent.

In Frankfurt, real estate firm Deutsche Wohnen rose 0.01 percent after reporting a rise in its funds from operations for the first-half of 2016 and lifting 2016 outlook.

Insurer Talanx tumbled 3.85 percent after large claims and currency volatility weighed on its second-quarter earnings growth.

In London, Restaurant Group soared 10.85 percent. The pub and restaurant chain operator has announced the departure of CEO Danny Breithaupt with immediate effect and appointed Andy McCue as new CEO.

Mining stocks turned in a weak performance after some disappointing data from China. BHP Billiton dropped 1.47 percent and Glencore weakened by 1.93 percent. Anglo American fell 3.16 percent and Antofagasta surrendered 3.38 percent.

A.P. Moeller-Maersk jumped 3.14 percent in Copenhagen. The container shipping firm has curtailed its capital expenditure plans for 2016 after reporting a sharp drop in second-quarter net profit.

Eurozone economic growth slowed as estimated in the second quarter, as France and Italy failed to expand, amid "Brexit" concerns. Gross domestic product rose 0.3 percent from the first quarter, when it climbed 0.6 percent, flash estimate published by Eurostat showed Friday. A similar slower growth was last seen in the third quarter of 2015.

Eurozone industrial production recovered at a stronger than expected pace in June, figures from Eurostat revealed Friday. Industrial output climbed 0.6 percent on a monthly basis in June, reversing a 1.2 percent fall in May and slightly bigger than the expected 0.5 percent increase.

Germany's economic growth eased less than expected in the second quarter, underpinned by exports and domestic demand, suggesting that concerns about "Brexit" were less damaging.

Gross domestic product grew 0.4 percent quarter-over-quarter in the second quarter, data from Destatis showed Friday. This marked a slowdown from the 0.7 percent growth in the first quarter. Economists had forecast the pace of growth to ease to 0.2 percent.

Germany's consumer prices increased for the third straight month in July as initially estimated, latest figures from Destatis showed Friday. The consumer price index rose 0.4 percent year-over-year in July, confirming the flash data, following a 0.3 percent climb in the previous month.

France's non-farm payroll continued to grow in the second quarter amid sustained job creation in the services sector, the statistical office INSEE said Friday. Employment in the non-farm sectors grew 0.2 percent or by 24,100 jobs from the previous quarter. In the first quarter, 37,300 jobs were created.

U.K. construction output declined at a slower pace in June, the Office for National Statistics showed Friday. Construction output dropped 0.9 percent in June from May, when it decreased 2 percent. This was the smallest drop in four months. Economists had forecast a 1 percent fall for June.

China's economic activity weakened in July as industrial production, retail sales and investment all registered weak growth.

Industrial production grew 6 percent year-on-year in July, slower than the 6.2 percent increase seen in June. The annual growth was expected to remain unchanged at 6.2 percent.

At the same time, retail sales climbed 10.2 percent on a yearly basis, following a 10.6 percent rise in June. Sales were forecast to grow 10.5 percent.

In the January to July period, fixed asset investment moved up 8.1 percent compared to a 9 percent expansion seen during January to June. Economists had forecast 8.9 percent growth.

After reporting much stronger than expected U.S. retail sales growth in the previous month, the Commerce Department released a report on Friday showing that retail sales were unexpectedly flat in the month of July.

The Commerce Department said retail sales were virtually unchanged in July after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.8 percent in June. Economists had expected sales to rise by 0.4 percent compared to the 0.6 percent increase originally reported for the previous month.

Partly reflecting a steep drop in prices for trade services, the Labor Department released a report on Friday showing an unexpected decrease in U.S. producer prices in the month of July. The Labor Department said its producer price index for final demand fell by 0.4 percent in July after rising by 0.5 percent in June. Economists had expected the index to inch up by 0.1 percent.

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. has improved by less than expected in the month of August, according to a preliminary report released by the University of Michigan on Friday. The report said the consumer sentiment index inched up to 90.4 in August from the final July reading of 90.0. Economists had expected the index to climb to 91.5.