Europe's main stock markets rose slightly in early trading on Friday, still buoyed by expectations of the end of the monetary tightening cycle, which caused bond yields to plunge.

Gains were more limited, however, following a rise of over 3% since the start of the week, and with Wall Street expected to be on a mixed note following the disappointment of Apple's forecasts.

At 12:30 GMT, investors are also awaiting the publication of official US job creation figures for October, which are expected to show a marked slowdown.

In Paris, the CAC 40 gained 0.02% to 7,062.05 points around 09:09 GMT. In London, the FTSE 100 gained 0.46% and in Frankfurt, the Dax advanced by 0.24%.

The EuroStoxx 50 index was up by 0.09%, the FTSEurofirst 300 by 0.37% and the Stoxx 600 by 0.23%.

Axa lost 3.73%, the red lantern of the CAC 40, following the publication of its nine-month sales figures.

Société Générale advanced by 1.06%, benefiting from a favorable environment for cyclical stocks after the publication of mixed quarterly results.

Atos jumped 4.16% as Onepoint boss David Layani told the press of his desire to renegotiate the deal between Atos and Daniel Kretinsky. Onepoint has just taken a 10% stake in Atos.

Denmark's Maersk fell 10.25% after warning on its annual profit forecast and announcing 10,000 job cuts.

(Written by Blandine Hénault, edited by Kate Entringer)