European stocks close

European stocks were little changed as companies from PPR SA to Aker Solutions ASA reported earnings and finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 nations met in Moscow.

PPR surged to an 11-year high after the French owner of Gucci reported profit that topped estimates.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index slipped 0.2 percent to 287.34 at the close of trade in London.

A report showed American consumer confidence increased more than estimated this month. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary February index of sentiment rose to 76.3 from 73.8 the prior month. The gauge was projected to rise to 74.8, according to the median forecast.

National benchmark indexes rose in eight of the 18 western- European markets today.

FTSE 100 6,328.26 +0.90 +0.01% CAC 40 3,660.37 -9.23 -0.25% DAX 7,593.51 -37.68 -0.49%

PPR jumped 7.6 percent to 172 euros, the highest price since July 2001. The company’s so-called recurring operating income climbed 19 percent to 1.79 billion euros. The average estimate analysts called for 1.75 billion euros. The company said it expects its performance to improve further in 2013.

Eni SpA rose 2.1 percent to 17.69 euros. Italy’s biggest oil company proposed a 2012 dividend of 1.08 euros a share, up from 1.04 euros the previous year, even as Eni reported a 3.6 percent decline in fourth-quarter adjusted net income to 1.52 billion euros ($2 billion).

Anglo American Plc gained 1.3 percent to 2,039 pence. Full- year earnings per share amounted to $2.26, topping the average analyst projection for $1.92,

Gerresheimer AG advanced 3.9 percent to 43.17 euros, the highest price since it sold shares to the public in June 2007, after CA Cheuvreux and Kepler Capital Markets raised their recommendations for the stock.

Aker Solutions fell 11 percent to 107 kroner. The oil- services provider controlled by billionaire Kjell Inge Roekke reported fourth-quarter net income of 504 million kroner ($91 million), missing the average analyst projection that called for 678.6 million kroner.