AFP - European stock markets rose, shaking off disappointing US jobs figures which nonetheless pointed to slow but steady economic expansion.

AFP - European stock markets shot higher in early deals, on the back of strong gains on Wall Street, as the FTSE hit a fresh two-and-a-half-year high point, dealers said.

AFP - European stock markets steadied in early trading, struggling to profit from some strong company results after a flat performance overnight by Wall Street.

AFP - London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares broke through the 5,000 points barrier for the first time in more than two and a half years.

Canadian Press - BERLIN (AP) - Germany was the world's largest exporter for the second year in a row in 2004 despite the skyrocketing strength of the euro, according to preliminary statistics released by the government Tuesday.

AP - Share prices rose Friday on the London Stock Exchange. The FTSE 100-share index closed up 44.2 points, or 0.9 percent, at 5,044.2.

AFP - Dutch television production company Endemol, producer of British hit reality show 'Big Brother', is preparing to float on the London Stock Exchange later this year.

FT.com - London equity markets remained flat in opening trade on Monday as investors began the week cautiously following a busy period last week when the FTSE peaked past the 5,000 level for the first time in 2½ years.

AP - The German economy slowed unexpectedly in the fourth quarter of 2004, contracting by 0.2 percent as domestic demand shrank and outweighed increased exports, the government statistics office said Tuesday.

AFP - The end of an EU arms embargo on China could slow a push by Beijing to develop its own advanced weapons, which would otherwise happen in five years with or without outside help, France's defence minister said in an interview published in Britain's Financial Times.

AFP - European stock markets rose in early dealing with traders inspired by strong earnings results, broker upgrades and positive company outlooks, dealers said.

AFP - European stock markets rose in early afternoon trading after struggling out the blocks, while London played catch-up amid some broker downgrades and a weak showing by Wall Street overnight.

Investor's Business Daily - Economics: Europe has been the source of many of America's most beloved fairy tales. Not all are of ancient origin. Take the European Union's insistence five years ago that its economy would leapfrog ours by 2010.

AFP - New European Union measures bolstering compensation for air travellers who suffer delays or cancellations have left the airline industry seething, amid warnings that it was taking on new financial risks that will eventually hit fares and passenger service.

Reuters - High government bond yields pushed European shares lower Monday despite good news from the drugs industry, and the yen remained in need of a pick-me-up.

AFP - European stock markets fell in early dealing, with investors looking for a lift from Wall Street when it reopens later after a long holiday weekend.

AFP - The FTSE 100 closed deeply in the red, hurt by concerns over crude prices and disappointing corporate earnings news.

AFP - The FTSE 100 closed in the black, boosted by a rally in heavyweight mining and oil stocks and better-than-expected full-year results from advertising giant WPP, dealers said.

Investor's Business Daily - Geopolitics: As the European Union threatens to end its arms embargo against China, Beijing's growing economic power and military buildup are causing concern among leaders in Washington and Tokyo.

Reuters - Gas giant Qatar, France's Total and Exxon Mobil signed on Monday a deal for the Qatargas-2 liquefied natural gas export project which targets the North American and European markets.