European Stocks Down On Flat Euro-Zone Industrial Output And As Danone Scraps Unit Sale

European benchmark indices were all down on Friday on news of nearly flat October euro-zone industrial production, adding to concerns about a wobbly economic recovery. French food group Danone fell on its decision to hold onto its medical nutrition business, shrugging off indicative offers of about €3 billion ($3.7 billion) from the likes of Hospira and a Germany’s Fresenius. Shares in Danish brewer Carlsberg, which counts on Russia for a third of its earnings, lost steam on the ruble’s continued plunge, with the company’s CEO saying there’s no quick-fix in sight. And in the fashion world, Hugo Boss shares were down slightly on news of a further stake slim-down by buyout shop Permira, while Gucci owner Kering SA fell in Paris amid a management shakeup at the luxury label.