AP - Japanese stocks rebounded modestly from three-month lows Thursday, led by exporter and bank shares, as investors were encouraged by recoveries in U.S. and European markets overnight.

FT.com - London equities extended gains in opening trade on Friday, as a strong finish on Wall Street moved listed fund managers higher and provided a wider boost to sentiment at the end of antoher volatile week.

AP - The euro hit a one-year high against the dollar Monday on speculation that the interest-rate gap between the euro zone and the United States may narrow.

FT.com - London equities lost ground rapidly in early trade on Tuesday, as UK indices followed Wall Street stocks lower after comments from the chairman of the Federal Reserve re-stoked inflationary fears.

AFP - German stock market operator Deutsche Boerse has said that it would admit foreign companies into its blue-chip DAX 30 index in order to reflect the growing internationalisation of the markets and boost the attractiveness of the DAX.

AFP - European Union trade chief Peter Mandelson has urged China to assume a greater leadership role in the global economy, saying much more was needed to open up the Asian giant's markets.

FT.com - With little corporate news to focus on in morning trade on Friday, London equities took their cue from Wall Street which managed a late rally overnight. The volatile mining sector made strong early gains in London.

AFP - Group of Eight finance ministers have tackled the politically explosive issue of Russian-EU energy trade and urged greater cooperation in managing world oil and gas markets.

FT.com - London equities traded in positive territory on Monday morning after a brief dip into the red in opening trade. GUS led gainers following weekend press reports that private equity groups were interested in bidding for the UK retailer.

Reuters - The blue chip share index is poised to fall sharply on Tuesday as concerns over rising U.S. interest rates persist, while banks will be in focus as Royal Bank of Scotland issues a trading statement.

FT.com - London equities were very volatile in early trade on Wednesday as a recovery in the mining sector struggled to offset falls for BAE Systems and Cable & Wireless.

FT.com - London equities rallied in early trade on Thursday, tracking US and Asian gains, as investors ignored higher US inflation data and bought back into the markets.

AFP - EU leaders turn their attention to the vexed issue of the bloc's expansion -- including adding a new member to their single currency club -- on the second day of a clouded Brussels summit.

Reuters - Slovaks voted on Saturday in the first election since joining the European Union, choosing between a record third term for Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda or a leftist pledging to overturn economic and social reforms.

AP - Treasury bond prices were moderately lower in quiet trade Monday, as European stocks fared well and no economic reports were released to provide market direction.

AFP - German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck has insisted that Germany, the eurozone's biggest economy, would meet its EU budget commitments by 2007 as promised, even if there were a number of risks involved.

FT.com - A weak opening was expected for European markets on Wednesday following declines in Asia and after Wall Street closed off its intra-day highs on Tuesday.

AFP - European stocks rose strongly, with London lifted by buoyant mining shares despite a downbeat airline sector, and after solid showings in Tokyo and overnight on Wall Street.

AFP - European stocks have rise as the energy sector was lifted by positive broker comments despite overnight losses on Wall Street.

AFP - European stocks were mixed, with the steel sector in sharp focus after Arcelor finally succumbed to a partnership deal with Mittal Steel to create a global steel behemoth, dealers said.

AFP - European stocks have advanced with the energy sector benefiting from higher oil prices and after overnight gains on Wall Street.

FT.com - European stocks fell on Wednesday as the US Federal Reserve was due to begin its two-day monetary policy meeting against the backdrop of growing hawkishness from central bank policymakers.

FT.com - European equities were expected to open higher on Thursday, but investors were braced for another quarter-point rate increase in the US, and the Federal Reserve's assessment on the inflation situation.

AFP - Russian gas giant Gazprom can guarantee plans to develop new outlets in Asia and North America as well as guaranteeing supplies to European markets, the company's chief executive told shareholders at a meeting.