LIVE MARKETS-European stocks fall on US trade policy confusion

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EUROPEAN STOCKS FALL ON U.S. TRADE POLICY CONFUSION

The STOXX 600 is trading in the red on Friday as confusion over U.S. trade policy weighs on sentiment, as eyes are set to turn to U.S. jobs data.

On Thursday, U.S. President Trump said he would suspend tariffs of 25% he had only imposed this week on most goods from Canada and Mexico, the latest twist in fluctuating trade policy.

"The constant changes of tack emanating from the White House on tariffs are beginning to test investors’ patience," writes Richard Hunter, head of markets at interactive investor.

"Markets hate uncertainty – and investors are getting it in spades."

The STOXX 600 is down 0.8% on Friday and off over 0.9% for the week after rising for the last 10 straight.

France's CAC 40 .FCHI and Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE are off 1% and 0.5%, respectively.

Germany's DAX .GDAXI is falling 1.5% but is still heading for a weekly gain after the parties looking to form the country's next government agreed to loosen fiscal rules and create a 500 billion euro special fund to boost infrastructure and defence spending.

Defence stocks have surged this week but are down slightly on Friday. The STOXX Europe Aerospace and Defence Index .SXPARO is off 0.8% but has gained 8.4% week-to-date.

Defensive sectors are performing better on Friday, with utilities .SX6P, telecoms .SXKP and food & beverages .SX3P just about in the green.

Here's your opening snapshot:

(Samuel Indyk)

FRIDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS:

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES LOWER AS TRUMP FLIP-FLOPS ON TARIFFS CLICK HERE

PAYROLLS AND POWELL PROVIDE FOCAL POINT CLICK HERE