11:10 AM EDT, 03/15/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were slightly lower Friday morning, falling 0.19% to 1,359.70 on the S&P Europe Select ADR Index. Despite the decline, the index is set to end the week modestly higher.

From continental Europe, the gainers were led by biopharmaceutical company Grifols ( GRFS ) , which rose 3.9%, followed by financial services company Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria ( BBVA ) and telecommunications company Ericsson (ERIC), which were up 2.7% and 1.7%, respectively.

The decliners from continental Europe were led by 3D printer company voxeljet (VJET) and biotech firm Biophytis ( BPTS ) , which fell 5.6% and 4.1% respectively. They were followed by kidney dialysis company Fresenius Medical Care ( FMS ) and telecommunications company VEON (VEON), which lost 3.1% and 2.9% respectively.

From the UK and Ireland, the gainers were led by Biodexa Pharmaceuticals ( BDRX ) and telecommunications operator Vodafone Group ( VOD ) , which rose 5.4% and 5.1% respectively. They were followed by financial services company Barclays ( JJCTF ) and biopharmaceutical company Bicycle Therapeutics ( BCYC ) , which were up 2.6% and 1.7% respectively.

The decliners from the UK and Ireland were led by biopharmaceutical companies TC Biopharm ( TCBP ) and NuCana ( NCNA ) , which lost 10% and 8.2% respectively. They were followed by pharmaceutical firms Silence Therapeutics ( SLN ) and Mereo BioPharma Group ( MREO ) , which fell 6.6% and 2.6% respectively.