Little change as markets eye Greece

European shares were little changed at opening yesterday, keeping within their recent range, as investors awaited developments in Greek debt talks.

Mergers and acquisition activity boosted Syngenta, which was building up defences for a possible higher bid from Monsanto, according to a Bloomberg report. Syngenta shares were up 2.3%.

The FTSEurofirst 300 was flat at 1,615.96 points at 0803 GMT. The index was down 0.2% for the week, which has been marked by uncertainty surrounding Greece’s negotiations with its international lenders.

Greece’s government intends to reach an agreement on a cash-for-reforms deal by tomorrow, its spokesman said on Thursday, even as eurozone officials suggested a deal was far from imminent.