LONDON: Europe's stock markets were stable Friday on the last trading day before Christmas, with banks topping the agenda after huge US fines and a bailout in Italy.
London was flat before an early finish at 1230 GMT, as upwardly-revised data showed the British economy grew 0.6 percent in the third quarter despite Brexit jitters.
In the eurozone, Frankfurt and Paris both eked out slender gains, but Milan jumped 0.9 percent on relief over a state rescue of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS) bank.
"It is quite a shaky year-end for the European financials," observed analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya at London Capital Group.
"Investors are relieved amid Monte dei Paschi's rescue, and Credit Suisse (and) Deutsche Bank's agreements with the US Department of Justice (DoJ)."
Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse have agreed to pay a total of almost $12.5 billion to settle disputes over the sale of mortgage-backed securities during the global financial crisis.
Germany's biggest lender has reached a $7.2-billion deal to settle a case with the DoJ over its role in the subprime mortgage crisis. Credit Suisse meanwhile agreed to pay nearly $5.3 billion.
The DoJ said Thursday that it was suing Barclays, accusing the British bank of massive fraud in the sale of mortgage-backed securities which contributed to the 2008 crisis.
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