European Stocks Mixed As Parade of Corporate Earnings Follow Sanctions News

European stock indices struggle for direction as a new round of U.S. and European Union sanctions against Russia over its suspected military backing of separatists in Ukraine coincided with a slew of corporate earnings from some of Europe’s biggest companies. Earnings winners across Europe include U.K. lender Barclays, France’s Airbus and utility Suez Environnment, and Dutch telecom KPN. But bulletins from oil producer Total and electronics components group Schneider Electric sent those stocks lower. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca announces a major boost to its respiratory drugs portfolio with a deal with Barcelona-based Almirall that could be worth up to $2.1 billion.