European Stocks Retreat, Only Cadbury Advances (BBY, KFT, BNPQY, HBC)

European stocks declined as a report showed investor confidence in the region’s biggest economy fell for a fourth month and sales at Alstom SA missed estimates. Asian shares slid, while U.S. index futures fluctuated.

Alstom, the world’s second-largest train maker, sank 3.8 percent. Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA lost 1.3 percent after reporting fourth-quarter revenues that also trailed analysts’ forecasts. HSBC Holdings Plc (NYSE: HBC) fell among banks after Exane BNP Paribas (OTC: BNPQY) recommended selling the shares.

Cadbury Plc (NYSE: CBY) jumped 3.7 percent as Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) announced its recommended final offer for the U.K. chocolate maker. “There’s been a nervousness this year in terms of investors trying to understand when and how central banks will exit the stimulus process,” said Gregor Smith, a fund manager at Daiwa Asset Management in London who helps oversee about $1 billion. “A few people have just decided this is as good as it gets for the rally and are taking some profits.”