Deutsche Boerse, L’Oreal, Santander: European Equity Preview

The following companies’ shares may be active in European (SXXP) trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose 0.7 percent to 263.17. The Stoxx 50 Index increased 0.9 percent to 2,489.86. The Euro Stoxx 50 Index (SX5E), a benchmark measure for nations using the euro, advanced 0.4 percent to 2,491.54.

Banco Santander SA (SAN) and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA) : Spain’s biggest banks were among 15 financial firms downgraded by Standard & Poor’s, after the credit-ratings company reduced the nation’s grade last month. Banco Santander gained 0.3 percent to 6.48 euros. Banco Bilbao was unchanged at 7.14 euros.

Deutsche Bank AG (DBK) (DBK GY): David Bianco, among Wall Street’s most bullish stock forecasters when he was replaced last year at Bank of America Corp., was named chief U.S. equity strategist for the Frankfurt-based firm. The stock climbed 0.5 percent to 33.65 euros.

Deutsche Boerse AG (DB1) (DB1 GY): The exchange blocked from buying NYSE Euronext by European (SXXP) competition regulators this month posted a fourth-quarter profit amid lower costs and higher sales while announcing a stock buyback and dividend. The shares fell 0.1 percent to 48.79 euros.

L’Oreal SA (OR) : The world’s largest cosmetics maker said it’s confident of achieving sales and earnings growth this year after reporting a 7.7 percent increase in 2011 operating profit, beating analysts’ estimates. The shares rose 0.3 percent to 81.65 euros.

To contact the reporter on this story: Whitney Kisling in New York at wkisling@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew Rummer at arummer@bloomberg.net