European stocks flat at open

LONDON: European stock markets were largely flat as trading opened for a new week on Monday, with investors still digesting last week's US missile strike in Syria and weaker-than-expected US job data.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index climbed 0.1 percent to 7,357.99 points compared with Friday's close, held back by losses in the mining sector, and by Barclays Bank, which announced it was under investigation over a whistleblower probe.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 was also up 0.1 percent to 12,236.48 points while the Paris CAC 40 dropped 0.2 percent to 5,127.36.

Asian markets earlier moved in and out of positive territory, with Tokyo the best performer, closing 0.7 percent higher thanks to a drop in the yen against the dollar.

Investors were left underwhelmed by a well below-forecast US employment report that highlights the tough task facing US President Donald Trump in fulfilling his pledge to create 25 million jobs.

Hong Kong was 0.1 percent down in afternoon trade and Shanghai ended 0.5 percent lower, while Seoul shed 0.9 percent and Singapore was flat.