London--European equity markets were mixed on Thursday ahead of the long Easter holiday weekend and on the eve of critical US jobs data, dealers said.
In afternoon deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index of top companies added 0.15 percent to 6,816.06 points and the CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.10 percent to 5,067.33 points.
Frankfurt's DAX 30 index dipped 0.2100 percent to 11,976.04 points compared with Tuesday's closing level, hit partly by ongoing worries over Greece.
All three main European stock markets will remain closed on Friday and Monday for public holidays, before reopening for business on Tuesday.
The region's indices had risen slightly Wednesday on the back of upbeat manufacturing data in China and the eurozone.
"The quarter has hardly got off to a fantastic start for stock markets in Europe and the UK ... with the shortened week and the presence of US job numbers tomorrow (Friday)," said IG analyst Chris Beauchamp.
In foreign exchange activity on Thursday, the European single currency rose to $1.0835 from $1.0760 late in New York on Wednesday, as dealers awaited Friday's US non-farm payrolls figures.
"The business week finishes today for many ahead of the extended Easter weekend; however, non-farm payrolls are still to be released tomorrow," said analyst Angus Campbell at trading firm FxPro.
US stocks edged up in opening action Thursday as traders took a cautious stance with Wall Street also set to be closed on Friday.
Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.07 percent to 17,710.49 points.
The broad-based S&P 500 gained 0.08 percent at 2,061.31, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite rose 0.13 percent to 4,886.73.
AFP
