European shares mixed as US job data optimism lose momentum

European shares were mixed at the open on Monday as optimism fueled by data showing a buoyant U.S. labour market last week faded while a flurry of corporate news triggered sharp individual moves.

The pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.1 per cent at 0841 GMT with regional indexes experiencing a choppy start of the trading session. Germany's Wirecard scored the best performance in early deals with its shares skyrocketing 15 per cent after it said a law firm it appointed made no conclusive findings of criminal misconduct after allegations of irregularities.

Iron ore pellet producer Ferrexpo experienced a sharp move in the opposite direction after its auditors received statements from a charity containing "unexplained discrepancies". Developments in mergers and acquisitions also grabbed traders' attention with Denmark's DSV falling 3.5 per cent after its bid for Panalpina (off 7.4 per cent) hit a roadblock when the Swiss freight forwarder's top shareholder rejected the offer.

In the financial sector, Julius Baer fell more about 5 per cent after announcing cost cuts as profit missed expectations. Ryanair shares were down 3.2 per cent after the Irish budget airline reported a 20 million euro ($22.9 million) loss in the third quarter due to weaker fares which it expects to continue throughout the year.