European Stock Indices Flag; Alcatel-Lucent Rises on Planned Connection With Nokia

European stock indices flag on Tuesday amid concern about an escalation of the Greek debt crisis as investors look to U.S. retail sales figures for direction. Alcatel-Lucent surges in Paris, while Nokia slumps in Helsinki on news of advanced talks to create a telecom-equipment maker worth more than $40 billion. In London discounter Poundland rises on a sneak preview of full-year figures which showed that revenue surpassed the critical £1 billion ($1.5 billion) mark. But hospitals group Spire Healthcare slumps as Cinven Ltd. sells more than a fifth of its holding in a secondary offering priced at a generous discount to Monday’s close.