(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 23 apr - European shares closed mostly higher as markets reacted to PMI data although risk sentiment was hit by reports that the US naval blockade has expanded beyond the Strait of Hormuz to intercept Iranian tankers in Asian waters.

In the eurozone, the manufacturing PMI jumped to 52.2 in April from 51.6 in March, while the services sector tumbled to 47.4 from 50.2, dragging the composite PMI to 48.6.

In Germany, the manufacturing PMI inched down to 51.2 from 52.2 and the services sector slumped to 46.9 from 50.9, bringing the composite index to 48.3.

France saw its manufacturing PMI rise to 52.8 from 50.0, though the services sector slipped to 46.5 from 48.8.

The London FTSE 100 closed down 0.19% at 10,457.01 points, the Frankfurt DAX fell 0.44% at 24,187.41 points, the Paris CAC 40 lost 1.13% at 8,235.72 points, while in Milan the FTSE MIB shed 0.25% at 47,785.46 points, and in Madrid the IBEX 35.

closed 0.78% lower at 17,866.05 points.

(RADIOCOR) 23-04-26 18:12:17 (0712) 5 NNNN