News

By Leila Abboud PARIS (Reuters) – The French state will get double voting rights at telecom group Orange (ORAN.PA) in 2016, potentially allowing it to sell some of its 25 percent stake without losing influence as it takes advantage of recent legislation. France’s “Florange” law, passed last year and named after a closed steel factory, Read More

European markets seesawed on Thursday as investors focused on U.S. economic data and positioned themselves ahead of the long Easter weekend. The pan-European Euro Stoxx 600 Index (^STOXX) wobbled around the flatline in afternoon trading, with major bourses trading mostly higher. Shares of U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer (London Stock Exchange: MKS-GB) were higher by Read More

By Lisa Twaronite TOKYO (Reuters) – Asian shares shrugged off weak U.S. data overnight that raised concerns ahead of Friday’s key employment figures, and logged gains on Thursday as investors covered positions ahead of the Easter holidays. European bourses were expected to follow suit, with financial spreadbetters calling Britain’s FTSE 100 (.FTSE) to open flat Read More

NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. stocks fell for a second straight day on Wednesday and the dollar dipped after weaker-than-expected private sector employment data spurred concerns that the keenly awaited monthly U.S. jobs report on Friday could point to slowing economic growth. Oil futures rallied as U.S. stock builds came in at a lower level Read More

By Marc Jones LONDON (Reuters) – European stocks and the dollar made solid starts to the second quarter on Wednesday as signs of a recovery in the euro zone and expectations of more good U.S. news cheered investors after their blowout last few months. Europe’s benchmark FTSEurofirst 300 (.FTEU3) recovered strongly after an early wobble Read More

By Shinichi Saoshiro TOKYO (Reuters) – Asian stocks were mostly lower on Wednesday, taking their lead from weaker U.S. shares, while the dollar slid against the yen as Tokyo’s Nikkei recoiled in volatile trade. As share volatility rose, spreadbetters forecast a significantly lower open for Britain’s FTSE (.FTSE), Germany’s DAX (.GDAXI) and France’s CAC (.FCHI). Read More

By Shinichi Saoshiro TOKYO (Reuters) – Asian stocks were mostly lower on Wednesday, taking their lead from weaker U.S. shares, while the dollar slid against the yen as Tokyo’s Nikkei recoiled in volatile trade. As share volatility rose, spreadbetters forecast a significantly lower open for Britain’s FTSE (.FTSE), Germany’s DAX (.GDAXI) and France’s CAC (.FCHI). Read More

As European equity markets closed out last week with their biggest weekly fall of the year, an eventful first quarter is coming to a close. Keep in mind that while BofA Merrill Lynch notes that U.S. equity funds suffered $ 44 billion in outflows so far this year compared to last year-making it the worst Read More

By Shinichi Saoshiro TOKYO (Reuters) – Asian stocks rose across the board on Tuesday after a rally on Wall Street and steps by China to shore up its economy boosted risk appetite, while Greek debt worries again haunted the sagging euro. Spreadbetters expected European shares to pull back slightly after Monday’s rise, calling for Britain’s Read More

European equities closed sharply higher on Monday, having extended gains throughout the session, as investors looked ahead to forthcoming U.S. jobs data. The pan-European Euro Stoxx 600 index (^STOXX) closed around 1.1 percent higher, with a broad-based rally across all major bourses. The German DAX (:.GDAX) provisionally closed 1.8 percent higher, with auto, technology and Read More