Novartis is +2.2% and GSK +4.8% following the announcement of a multi-billion dollar asset swap, while AstraZeneca is +7.6% after a report of a tentative megabid from Pfizer.
In Asia, the Nikkei gave back early gains to end -0.85%, dragged down by caution ahead of earnings season and the tensions in Ukraine.
Elsewhere in the region, Hong Kong -0.1%, China +0.3% and India flat.
Euro Stoxx 50 +0.5%, London +0.9%, Paris +0.6%, Frankfurt +1.1%, Milan -0.15%, Madrid +0.35%.
U.S. stock futures: Dow -0.05%. S&P flat. Nasdaq +0.05%
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April 22nd, 2014 at 6:50 am
European shares come back from long weekend in the green
04:43 AM ET