European Stocks Tread Water as Data Shows Limping Euro-Zone Economy

European stocks are little changed as first-quarter GDP figures highlight the divergent paths of the region’s major economies. Alstom shares fall as French government intervention risks derailing General Electric’s planned $15.6 billion takeover of the power business of the French engineering company, while in London investors mark shares in Carphone Warehouse and Dixons retail down on news of their long-awaited merger deal to create at $6.3 billion appliances giant.