Europe Stocks Unfazed by US Rate Hike Fears

European stocks closed little changed on Friday while US equities fell after stronger-than-expected jobs data raised chances of an interest rate hike in September.

The FTSE 100 index closed down 0.43 of a point at 10,831.09, but the FTSE 250 ended up 88.58 points, 0.4%, at 24,584.71.

Financial markets reacted to news that the US labour market added markedly more jobs than expected last month.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in August, beating the consensus prediction of a 56,000 rise.