European Stock Indices Stutter Ahead of U.S. Retail, Consumer Data

European stock indices edge down ahead of critical retail sales and consumer data from the U.S. later today, though London markets brighten as the prospect of a “yes” vote for Scottish independence recedes. In London Barclays rises on news it has picked financial-services veteran John McFarlane as its new chairman and in Helsinki motors maker Vacon surges on the announcement of a $1.3 billion takeover agreement with Denmark’s Danfoss. In Madrid the prospect of a shareholder payout buoys Endesa, whose majority owner Enel plans to buy out its holding in Chile’s Enersis for $10.7 billion to become master of its own Latin American expansion destiny.