German business sentiment rises in March Ifo
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STOXX 600 up 0.1

March 22 Reuters European shares were largely flat on Friday but maintained record highs as gains in the telecommunications sector were offset by losses in technology shares, while investors awaited comments from European Central Bank policymakers later in the day.

The panEuropean STOXX 600 index was up 0.1 and was on track for its eighth consecutive weekly gain after notching another fresh high earlier in the day, with Britain39;s FTSE 100 outperforming regional peers.

British retail sales unexpectedly held steady in February despite wet weather hitting instore sales, adding to signs the economy is recovering from last year39;s mild recession.

January39;s bounce in UK retail sales was shortlived, with February39;s reading flat, and down by 0.4 on last year39;s number. This was slightly ahead of economists39; expectations, but overall, not a great sign for the UK economy, said Michael Field, European market strategist at Morningstar.

Ratesensitive technology shares slipped 1 after leading sectoral gains on Thursday, while the personal and household goods index was down 0.7 owing to overnight weakness in Chinese markets.

Shares of LVMH, Christian Dior and Hermes International were down between 1.7 and 2.2.

German business morale improved in March by more than expected, a survey showed. The…