European shares slipped in early trade today as investors were wary of the risks of another escalation in tensions between Russia and Ukraine over the weekend.
Shares of companies most exposed to Russia were among the biggest losers. Investors also avoided taking fresh bets ahead of U.S. jobs data due later in the day that will provide insight on the state of the world’s biggest economy and could influence the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.
At 0847 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was down 0.6 percent at 1,336.63 points. After taking a hit on Monday, the index reversed most of the selloff that was sparked by an escalation in tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei share average rose to a fresh five-week high on Friday as a weak yen lifted risk appetites following better-than-expected US jobless claims and the European Central Bank’s decision to keep its rates unchanged.
The Nikkei ended 0.9 percent higher at 15,274.07, the highest closing level since Jan. 29. For the week, the index rose 2.9 percent.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald