European equities closed mostly lower on Wednesday, despite a surge in energy stocks after Royal Dutch Shell (London Stock Exchange: RDSA-GB) launched a bid for U.K.-listed BG Group (London Stock Exchange: BG.-GB). The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 (FTSE International: .FTEU3) closed flat, having touched an eight year-high earlier in the session after oil and gas firms Read More
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By Lionel Laurent and Francesco Canepa LONDON (Reuters) – Royal Dutch Shell’s $ 70 billion (47 billion pounds) bid for energy firm BG Group lifted Britain’s top share index on Wednesday, helping it outperform its continental peers. The FTSE 100 <.FTSE> was up 0.5 percent at 6,998.71 points by 1103 GMT, while Germany’s DAX <.GDAXI> Read More
By Shinichi Saoshiro TOKYO (Reuters) – Asian stocks rose on Tuesday, following a positive lead from Wall Street, while the dollar held onto its gains after rebounding against the euro and yen on higher U.S. Treasury yields. Spreadbetters saw the upward momentum for equities continuing into Europe, forecasting a higher open for Britain’s FTSE <.FTSE>, Read More
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