11:57 AM EST, 02/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed mixed in Friday trading as The Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.49%, Germany's DAX declined 0.23%, the FTSE 100 in London was off 0.03%, France's CAC 40 was up 0.33%, and the Swiss Market Index gained 1.1%.

The Eurozone private sector grew slightly in February, according to the seasonally adjusted HCOB Flash Eurozone Composite PMI Output Index, which is based on approximately 85% of survey responses compiled by S&P Global. The index remained unchanged at 50.2 for the month, following an increase in output for the first time in five months in January.

In the UK, the headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global Flash UK PMI Composite Output Index declined 50.5 in February, down from 50.6 in January. Despite the slight decline, the index remained above the 50.0 threshold indicating expansion for the 16th straight month.

Also in the UK, retail sales volumes rose an estimated 1.7% in January, following a decline of 0.6% in December, according to the Office for National Statistics. The ONS said food store sales volumes grew strongly in January after declining in previous months.

And in corporate news, Novo Nordisk has resolved its shortage of weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, according to a US Food and Drug Administration update. The resolved shortage issue means other companies will no longer be legally allowed to use copies of semaglutide, which is the generic name for the drugs. Shares of the Danish pharmaceutical giant were up 5.8% in Copenhagen.

Stellantis has halted work on its Jeep Compass sport utility vehicle model and activities at its assembly plant in Ontario, Canada as the European automaker evaluates its product strategy in North America, news outlets reported Thursday, citing a statement from a company spokesperson. Stellantis did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

Astronics said Friday it has been ordered by a UK court to pay $11.9 million to Lufthansa Technik to settle a patent infringement dispute. The company said any additional amounts related to matters peripheral to the case will be determined at a hearing scheduled for next month.

Royal Philips said Thursday that it has signed a partnership deal with health care system Mass General Brigham to develop and deploy advanced data infrastructure and artificial intelligence to enhance patient care. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Shares of financial services stocks gained in Friday trading in London as NatWest and Standard Chartered shares rose 3.6% and 3.4% respectively on the FTSE, followed by Lloyds Banking and Barclays, which were up 2% and 1.8% respectively.