EUROPE MARKETS: European Stocks Waver Ahead Of Easter, U.S. Jobs Data

By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch

European stock markets are closed on Friday and Monday

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets seesawed between small gains and losses on Thursday, with investors staying on the sidelines ahead of the Easter holidays and the closely watched U.S. nonfarm payrolls on Friday.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index slipped 0.2% to 397.59, paring its weekly gain to 0.5%. Investors were cautious of placing any big bets ahead of the U.S. jobs report, which European markets won't get a chance to react to until Tuesday. Most are closed on Friday and Monday (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/when-are-european-stock-markets-closed-for-easter-2015-04-02) due to the Easter holidays.

Trading in Denmark, Norway and Iceland was also closed on Thursday for the holidays.

Other indexes: Germany's DAX 30 index slipped 0.1% to 11,992.45, but was on track for a 1% weekly advance. France's CAC 30 index added 0.1% to 5,067.58, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 index climbed 0.1% (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid) to 6,818.21.

Greek reforms: Greece's Athex Composite Index erased an earlier gain and fell 0.5% to 761.92. Late Wednesday, Athens handed over a more detailed plan (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/greece-delivers-more-details-on-bailout-proposals-2015-04-02) for revising its bailout program to its EU lenders and the International Monetary Fund. The move is the latest attempt by the Greek government to unlock the next portion of its bailout money, needed for it to avoid potentially running out of cash later this month.

Hopes for an imminent deal have been fading, however, with officials in Brussels and Athens suggesting that the Eurogroup of finance ministers won't meet until April 24.

Movers and shakers: Shares of Marks & Spencer Group PLC (MAKSY) climbed 4.8% after the retailer reported a rise in fourth-quarter sales (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/marks-spencer-rallies-6-after-upbeat-sales-report-2015-04-02) and said its food business outperformed the market.

Paddy Power PLC rose 2.6% after Exane BNP Paribas lifted the bookmaker to neutral from underperform. The French bank further cut Betfair Group PLC, another gambling company, to underperform from outperform, sending the shares 2.5% lower.

Sugar producer Tate & Lyle PLC gained 2.7% after reporting full-year results in line with expectations.

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