Market Update
European markets trended lower Tuesday after some downbeat corporate updates and after European foreign ministers agreed to step up sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
The FTSE slipped 0.1%, along with the CAC 40 Paris index. The DAX was down 0.3%.
In economic data, inflation data is due from the U.K. and investors are also focused on the closely-watched ZEW surveys of German economic sentiment, and current conditions.
Stocks on the Move
First-quarter sales from foods major Nestle undershot expectations and its shares edged 0.3% lower in Zurich. The company said it expects a pickup in growth.
French cosmetics group L'Oreal's sales also missed expectations as the company posted its weakest growth since 2009. However, the company provided a positive 2014 forecast and its shares were up about 2%.
Rio Tinto was down 1.7% in London after the Aussie miner reported a fall in first-quarter iron-ore shipments. BHP Billiton fell 1% while Glencore Xstrata and Anglo American were both down 0.8% each, respectively.
Spirits major Diageo PLC was down about a percent after it offered to raise its stake in India's United Spirits by another 26%. It holds 29% in the Bangalore-based company currently.