(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock
markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window)
April 9 (Reuters) - European stocks were subdued on Friday,
but on course for their longest weekly winning streak in more
than a year as hopes of a rapid recovery in economic growth
offset doubts over the euro zone's COVID-19 vaccination
programme.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX inched down 0.1%
after hitting an all-time high at the open, while UK's blue-chip
FTSE 100 .FTSE and Germany's DAX .GDAXI slipped about 0.1%
and 0.2%, respectively.
London equities have outperformed this week, with the
domestically focussed FTSE mid-cap index .FTMC hitting a
record high as Britain gradually emerges from a strict winter
lockdown.
Airline stocks including British Airways-owner IAG ICAG.L ,
easyJet EZJ.L and Wizz Air WIZZ.L rose between 0.2% and
1.0%. Britain will confirm in early May whether it will allow
international travel to resume from May 17. Travel company TUI TUIT.L fell 5.7% after saying it
planned to offer convertible bonds worth 350 million euros to
improve its liquidity position as the pandemic disrupts travel
plans. Airbus AIR.PA rose 2% after the French planemaker reported
slightly higher deliveries in the first quarter.