Madrid Stocks Halt 2-Day Gain

The IBEX 35 index was trading slightly down below the 8.400 level on Friday, after two straight sessions of gains, in line with its regional peers.

Investors were monitoring economic data from major economies in the eurozone while cautiously awaiting the release of the key monthly US jobs data, which could provide clarity on whether hiring and pay growth are gradually cooling.

Meanwhile, ECB President Christine Lagarde has warned that some fiscal policies in Europe could fuel excess demand and might force monetary policy to tighten more than would otherwise be necessary.

Among single stocks, utility and energy shares were leading the losses.