Europe open: Stocks on track for best year since 2013
European stocks were flattish after almost an hour on the last day of trading in 2017 as the bloc heads for its best stock market performance in four years.
The benchmark Stoxx 600 was up a very slight 0.23 points to 389.77, with German and Italian stocks trading slightly lower while French and UK stocks were in positive territory. Germany's Dax was down 10 points to 12,969.87 and France's CAC 40 barely one point higher 5340.18.
The Stoxx 600 index is on track to have gained almost 8% over the past 12 months, which would be its best year since 2013.
The rather directionless trading on Friday came on the back of another record close on Wall Street overnight, with the Dow Jones making its 71st record high of the year, but a mixed Asian session.
Continued US dollar weakness was keeping both the UK and German stock benchmarket from making too much progress beyond breakeven, said analyst Mike van Dulken at Accendo Markets.
"However, gains for dual listed miners down-under, in spite of a negative close for the important Aussie ASX index, offers hope to buoy London year-end sentiment thanks to strength for copper and oil on a combination of global growth optimism and expectations of tighter supply."
Spanish consumer price inflation was an early data point for the region, with a below-forecast reading of 1.3% for December after the previous month's 1.8% mark.
Later on, some traders will be focusing on German inflation at 1300 GMT, where the consumer price index is forecast to ease to 1.5% year-on-year from 1.8%, with the harmonised index of consumer prices dropping to 1.4% from 1.8%. However the month-on-month measure of CPI is seen picking up to 0.5% from 0.3%.
After that there is the US Baker Hughes US rig count at 1800 GMT to provide indication on US oil production.
Among individual companies, Airbus was down only slightly despite reports that the company could end production of the A380 superjumbo if it does not receive a new order from Emirates. Reports emerged overnight that the Toulouse-headquartered aeroplane maker was drawing up plans to phase out production of the A380, though the company said the claims were “speculation” as talks over new orders were continuing.