(Reuters] – European stocks recovered from Thursday’s worst session in a while European healthcare stocks were up. However, investors were cautious due to hawkish Federal Reserve minutes as well as Washington’s new sanctions on Russia.

Following a 1.5% loss in the previous session, the pan European index rose 0.5%. Sectoral gains were led by defensive measures, and healthcare saw a 1.4% increase to an all-time high.

London’s commodities-heavy performance was hampered by a drop in oil and basic material stocks.

Shell (LON.) lost 1.2% when it said that it would write off up to $5 Billion in the quarter. Its decision to withdraw from Russia was more than disclosed previously.

Stock markets across the globe fell after minutes from March’s Fed meeting revealed that Fed officials “generally agreed to” reduce the asset holdings of $95 billion per month to combat rising inflation.

Investors are now awaiting minutes from the European Central Bank due to be released later that day. The ECB has turned off all its money taps to allow for interest rate increases at its March meeting.