Europe open: Flat start with no new numbers as traders prefer stuffing to stocks

European shares were flat at the opening in thin Christmas eve trade after a rally in the previous session on hopes the Omicron Covid variant would not have as great an impact as first feared.

With markets either closed or on a half day, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index had barely moved the needle in early deals, down 0.03%, with no real new numbers to drive sentiment and traders thinking of stuffing instead of stocks. Asian markets closed mixed, while Wall Street closed higher with the S&P hitting a new record.

London and Paris will shut around midday today. Frankfurt, Milan and Madrid are closed. The UK FTSE 100 poked its nose above water to be 0.04% higher while France’s CAC 40 was down 0.11%.

In equity news, British Airways and Iberia owner IAG, cruise operator Carnival and travel giant TUI were all higher on hopes that Omicron won’t dent bookings.