European Markets Mixed Ahead of Euro-zone Crunch Talks on Greece

European stocks were mixed before euro-zone finance ministers gather in Brussels for crunch talks over Greece’s financial lifeline, though fears of an imminent ‘Grexit’ were tempered by positive news on euro-area manufacturing and services. Standard Life led gainers in London on a better-than-expected 2014 operating profit, with CEO David Nish saying the company is “well placed for the future” despite unsettled investment markets. Energy stocks, including Tullow Oil, Premier Oil and BG Group, also fared well as oil registered its first weekly decline in a month. But in Paris, Danone declined after the dairy group gave a lower sales forecast for 2015 than last year’s goal, citing difficult economic conditions as well as fragile and even deflationary consumer trends in Europe.