FTSE up 0.24%; DAX down 0.53%; CAC 40 down 0.01% (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - London, 19 Apr - European shares recovered from early losses to end mixed as investors found relief from the limited scope of Israel's military attack on Iran.

The Stoxx 600 index closed down 0.11%, heading for its first monthly loss since October after a strong start to 2024.

Sentiment took a blow early on from escalating tensions in the Middle East after reports that Israel launched a direct military attack on Iranian soil early today. But comments from both sides during the day indicating the strike had been contained helped calm nerves.

Concerns over higher-for-longer US interest rates also continued to weigh on sentiment. In comments today Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said progress on inflation had stalled, adding it made sense to wait before cutting rates.

In Europe ECB President Christine Lagarde said inflation was likely to fall further and the bank could cut rates if its price growth criteria were met. But she reiterated inflation risks were 'two-sided' and data monitoring remained key.

Economists expect the ECB to cut its rates in June.

Investors digested fresh earnings reports from European companies as the first quarter earnings season begins to pick up pace in the region.

The London FTSE 100 closed up 0.24% at 7,895.85 points, the Frankfurt DAX was 0.53% lower at 17,742.36 points, and the Paris CAC 40 dipped 0.01% to 8,022.45 points, while in Milan the FTSE MIB grew 0.12% to 33,922.16 points and in Madrid the IBEX 35 closed 0.28% lower at 10,735.00 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 19-04-24 18:00:21 (0528) 5 NNNN