European stocks close: stocks were up due to mergers and acquisitions plans in the pharma sector

European stocks increased due to mergers and acquisitions plans in the pharma sector. Pfizer has renewed its offer for AstraZeneca. A worth of the deal could be more than $100 billion. European stock markets remained unimpressed by the new sanctions on Russia.

But investors still monitor closely tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

AstraZeneca shares were up 14% because of the renewed offer of Pfizer.

Bayer AG shares jumped 3.3% caused by the better-than-expected first quarter earnings.

Siemens AG shares declined 2.7% after announcing the plan to buy Alstom. The Siemens’ plan is an asset swap. Siemens wants to acquire Alstom’s power and grid business in exchange for its transport assets and some cash. Alstom shares are suspended until Wednesday.

Indexes on the close:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                              6,700.16                              +14.47                     +0.22%

DAX                                      9,446.36                              +44.81                     +0.48%

CAC 40                                 4,460.53                              +16.90                     +0.38%