European stocks ticked up and down between small losses and gains, as investors continued to dissect the new bailout deal for Greece and after mixed business activity data.

Royal Dutch Shell made a proposed $1.57 billion cash offer to buy the U.K.-listed Cove Energy, marking the company's first foray into Kenya and Mozambique.

Greece's bailout and debt-restructuring deal spawned some relief, but the overriding reaction was one of unease that the tough agreement, which has already generated huge opposition, is bound to fail.

Business activity in the euro zone contracted unexpectedly in February, losing momentum after a rebound in January and reviving fears that the region is heading for recession.

Citigroup is facing a multibillion-dollar write-down as it begins unwinding its minority investment in the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney brokerage.

Japanese stocks caught a tailwind from the yen's weakness, rising 1%, while mainland Chinese shares gained on hopes for a relaxation in policy toward the property sector.

France Télécom posted a drop in its net profit for 2011 and said competitive pressures are likely to intensify as regulations become more stringent and taxes rise in key markets.

Wynn Resorts defended its move to oust major shareholder Kazuo Okada, saying the board acted out of an obligation to protect the company and its shareholders.

U.K. energy company Centrica has reached an agreement with French oil major Total SA to buy its oil and gas assets in the central North Sea for $388 million.

Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have supported the DREAM Act's path to citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants through military service, but not higher education. Immigration rights activists in Arizona protested Romney's partial support of of the DREAM Act.

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