Paris: European stock markets opened mixed on Friday as investors weighed uncertainty surrounding the war in the Middle East and the prospect of potential talks between the United States and Iran. The pan-European STOXX Europe 600 fell 0.2% in early trading to 579.71 points. In national markets, France's CAC 40 was broadly flat, edging up 0.04% in Paris, while Germany's DAX dropped 0.2% in Frankfurt.

According to Qatar News Agency, the UK's FTSE 100 rose 0.23%, outperforming regional peers, while Italy's FTSE MIB slipped 0.05% in Milan. Markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, with investors closely monitoring diplomatic efforts that could influence regional stability and the global economic outlook.