European stocks traded in different directions

Positively impacted the market corporate reporting companies during the quarter. Thus, the net profit of Munich Re in the fourth quarter of 2012 amounted to 480 million euros, exceeding the average market forecast at 448.3 million euros. The company also announced its intention to increase the dividend for 2012. Revenue ARM Holdings in October-December 2012 increased by 19% - to 164.2 million pounds ($ 259 million), exceeding the median forecast of experts at 152.4 million pounds.

Data released today by the euro zone retail sales were not encouraging. These were worse than expected. Retail sales in December in annual terms amounted to -3.4%, forecast -1.4% for December MoM -0.8%, forecast 0.5%.

To date:

FTSE 100 6,264.30 +17.46 +0.28%

DAX 7,627.69 -10.54 -0.14%

CAC 3,678.85 +20.11 +0.54%

Shares of Alfa Laval AB rose 4.7%. The company's profit also surpassed analysts' expectations. Capitalization of ARM Holdings rose 5.4%.

Market quotes Royal KPN NV fell by 21%. The company plans to further placement of shares for € 4 billion to stabilize its financial position.

Net profit of BP Plc. in 2012, has fallen by almost half - to 11.582 billion dollars compared with 25.7 billion dollars, received in 2011.