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MIDDLE EAST PEACE WORRIES RETURN

European stocks pulled back Friday as a flare-up of fighting between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East kept investors on edge.

The cross-regional STOXX 600 .STOXX was last down 0.81% on the day, which left it pretty much flat across the week.

All European sectors were trading in the red. Insurance stocks .SXIP led losses, down roughly 1.7%.

Shares in Spanish travel technology company Amadeus AMA.MC rose 5% after reporting first-quarter core earnings above market expectations and sticking to its guidance even as it flagged a hit to air bookings due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Sticking with the Iran war's impact on travel, British Airways owner IAG ICAG.L warned that annual profit will be lower than forecast as higher jet fuel costs and conflict-related supply disruptions will weigh more heavily on earnings than previously expected. Shares opened over 5% lower, but recouped some losses to last trade down around 2.2%.

Meanwhile, Rheinmetall RHMG.DE shares fell 4.4% after JP Morgan cut the stock to neutral from overweight and shares in Denmark-based biotechnology company Genmab GMAB.CO tumbled around 10% after it reported first quarter earnings.

(Sophie Kiderlin)

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EARLIER LIVE MARKETS POSTS:

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: CEASEFIRE UNDER THREAT CLICK HERE

MARKETS CLING ON AS CEASEFIRE IS TESTED CLICK HERE