AFP - The FTSE 100 closed in the black as strong interims from HSBC boosted the heavyweight banking sector and as M and A speculation boosted fund managers, dealers said.

FT.com - European shares opened higher on Tuesday as firm crude prices boosted the continent's oil producers and the German auto sector received a boost as the reporting season continued.

AP - The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday cut its forecasts for euro-zone economic growth in 2005 and 2006, while insisting the conditions for a 'tepid' recovery are in place.

FT.com - Amvescap shares were the weakest performers in the FTSE 100 index in London early on Thursday as CI Financial of Canada pulled out of making a bid for the Anglo-US fund manager.

AFP - European stock markets enjoyed mixed fortunes, with a strong batch of company results lifting London trade, while Frankfurt shares fell amid profit taking ahead of the weekend, dealers said.

AFP - The FTSE 100 closed in the black, just off earlier highs as a mixed session on Wall Street due to another spike in crude oil prices took some of the shine off a rally in UK banks and miners, dealers said.

AFP - European stock markets gained ground as energy companies benefited from the historic record run in oil prices, while traders looked ahead to a US interest rate decision, dealers said.

AP - French industrial production rose for a second straight month in June, the official statistics agency Insee said Wednesday, confirming a rebound after three consecutive months of declines.

AFP - The FTSE 100 closed down as record crude oil prices continued to weigh on investor sentiment, prompting some to lock in profits generated by recent gains, dealers said.

AFP - European stock markets fell as investors digested new record oil prices, while British Airways shares also dropped amid wildcat strikes at London's busy Heathrow airport.

Canadian Press - PARIS (AP) - Wim Duisenberg, the former European Central Bank chief who helped create the euro currency, was found dead Sunday in his swimming pool in southeastern France, officials said. He was 70.

AFP - European stock markets were mixed as investors monitored developments in the telecoms sector, whilst sentiment was bolstered somewhat by lower oil prices, dealers said.

AFP - European stock markets fell after Wall Street went into a tailspin overnight, and as London investors digested the latest minutes from the Bank of England's August meeting.

AFP - The FTSE 100 ended lower although managed to close above its session lows thanks to a positive morning by Wall Street, with a slight easing in oil prices and benign jobless data lifting sentiment.

AP - Britain's economy expanded 0.5 percent in the second quarter, a faster clip than initially estimated even though consumer spending rose at its slowest pace in a decade, a government report showed Friday.

FT.com - France on Tuesday intensified calls for a more 'resolute dialogue' between the eurozone's politicians and the European Central Bank, arguing that fiscal and monetary policy must be better co-ordinated to stimulate faster economic growth.

FT.com - European stocks were set for a cautious start on Wednesday as concerns over the economic impact of high oil prices continued to weigh, following a fresh run up to record highs.