European stocks closed mixed as worries over oil prices due to tensions between Iran and Britain offset the impact of a relentless stream of mergers and acquisitions, while margin woes hit Vodafone.
Britain's top share index slid into the red on the last trading day of the quarter, as a profit margin drop hit Vodafone, and economic worries gnawed at investors ahead of a key rate decision next week. The FTSE 100 closed at 6,308 points, down 16 or 0.26%.
Shares in mobile phone operator Vodafone fell 4.3% at 135.50 pence as the company unveiled lower-than-expected UK profit margins.
In Frankfurt the DAX ended at 6,917 points, up 19 or 0.29% and the CAC-40 in Paris closed at 5,634 points, up 2 or 0.05%.
In Dublin, the ISEQ closed down 35 points at 9,375.
As European markets closed, US stocks and the dollar fell after the government said it was slapping duties on coated paper imports from China, suggesting heightened trade tensions between the economic powerhouses.
The Dow Jones was down 45 points, or 0.37%, at 12,303 and the Nasdaq was down 5 points, or 0.24%, at 2,412. The dollar was worth €1.337 on Friday evening.
Earlier in Tokyo the Nikkei edged up 0.14% as Honda rebounded with other manufacturers after data showed industrial output fell less than expected last month, and due to a weaker yen. The Nikkei closed up 23 on the day at 17,287.
