(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 24 mar - European share prices were mixed at midday as investors reacted to news that US president Donald Trump postponed planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days. The move initially boosted market sentiment despite Tehran denying that the "productive conversations" previously claimed by Washington had taken place.

On the data front, the eurozone's preliminary March manufacturing PMI rose to a 45-month high of 51.4 from 50.8 in February, while the services sector fell to a 10-month low of 50.1 from 51.9.

In Germany, the manufacturing PMI hit a 45-month high of 51.7 from 50.9, while the services PMI fell to a seven-month low of 51.2.

In France, the manufacturing PMI inched up to a two-month high of 50.2 from 50.1, while the services PMI fell to a five-month low of 48.3 from 49.6.

Meanwhile, the UK's manufacturing PMI fell to a three-month low of 51.4 from 51.7, with the services sector slipping to a six-month low of 51.2.

At 1100 GMT, Milan's FTSE MIB index was up 0.17% to 43,262.50 points while in Frankfurt the DAX slipped 0.04% to 22,586.95 points and in Paris the CAC 40 was 0.01% lower at 7,725.54 points. London's FTSE 100 was up 0.15% at 9,909.03 points.

while Madrid's IBEX 35 edged down 0.01% to 16,886.00 points.

(RADIOCOR) 24-03-26 12:03:39 (0345) 5 NNNN