MADRID (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets pared earlier gains on Thursday after mixed results from the auction of Italian longer-dated government bonds. Yields on three and 10-year debt fell as Italy sold €7.017 billion ($9.07 billion) in the auction, against a top aim of €8.5 billion. The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP +0.26% moved to flat at 240.28, along with the French CAC 40 index FR:PX1 +0.39% , which traded at 3,072.30. The German DAX 30 index DX:DAX +0.43% pared its lead back to a rise of 0.3% to 5,786.91. The FTSE 100 index UK:UKX +0.35% rose 0.2% to 5,518.45.