(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 4 mag - European share prices turned mostly lower at midday as tensions in the Middle East grew and oil prices climbed, with benchmark indexes declining after a slightly higher opening as uncertainty persisted over the potential escalation of the war in Iran. Investors also weighed the impact of potential trade barriers following new tariff threats from the US.

On the data front, the eurozone manufacturing PMI rose to 52.2 in April from 51.6 in March, while manufacturing output increased to 52.3 from 52.0 the previous month.

The Sentix economic sentiment index for the bloc improved to -16.4 in May from -19.2 in April, with the current situation indicator rising to -21.5 from -22.8 and future expectations moving to -11.3 from -15.5.

In Germany, the manufacturing PMI fell to 51.4 in April from 52.2 in March, while the Ifo business climate for the automotive sector deteriorated to -23.8 points from -19.0 in March, with expectations sliding to -30.7 from -15.3.

Spain's manufacturing PMI climbed to 51.7 in April from 48.7 in March, Italy's index rose to 52.1 from 51.3, and France's PMI reached 52.8 from 50.0 in the previous month.

A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion in sector activity and one below a contraction.

At 0940 GMT, Milan's FTSE MIB index was down 0.18% to 48,157.50 points while in Frankfurt the DAX edged up 0.35% to 24,378.19 points and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 0.48% to 8,076.16 points. Madrid's IBEX 35 was 0.88% lower at 17,624.16 points. London's stock exchange is closed for a.

bank holiday.

(RADIOCOR) 04-05-26 11:42:46 (0230) 5 NNNN