AFP - European equity prices dropped on Friday as oil and mining majors lost ground, but losses were limited by gains to banking share prices, traders said.

Reuters - Stocks closed higher on Friday, helped by a government report that showed underlying price pressures rose moderately in May, easing fears that inflation would force a near-term rise in interest rates.

AFP - The dollar rose against the euro and the yen on Friday amid a Group of Eight finance meeting in Japan, with analysts keen to see whether ministers will back US efforts to strengthen the dollar.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Friday, helped by a government report that showed underlying price pressures rose moderately in May, easing fears that inflation would force a near-term rise in interest rates.

AFP - European stock markets rose on Thursday, shrugging off heavy share-price falls in Asia and on Wall Street which were driven by another spike in oil futures and inflation worries, analysts said.

AFP - Europe's main stock markets steadied on Wednesday after a mixed showing elsewhere, as investors tracked high oil prices and the outlook for interest rates.

AFP - Leading shares closed lower, with banks suffering as a statement from Royal Bank of Scotland failed to inspire and HBOS fell below its rights issue price, and with Wall Street weaker in early trade, as oil prices rose.

AFP - European equities sank on Tuesday after sharper falls in Asia on widespread concern that sky-high oil prices will stoke inflation and force central banks to tighten credit, analysts said.

AP - President Bush and European allies on Tuesday threatened tougher sanctions to squeeze Iran's finances and derail its potential pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Bush said the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran would endanger world peace.

AFP - European markets held steady on Monday despite a slump in Asia, after a breathtaking surge in oil prices and shock jump in US unemployment sent Wall Street spinning and fanned fears of a US recession.

AFP - Leading shares closed lower Monday as banking stocks extended their losses after worrying news from Lehman Brothers, while a rally on Wall Street wasn't enough to push the FTSE 100 into positive territory.

AFP - Ireland holds a key referendum on a sensitive European Union treaty this week with rapidly slowing growth in the once-runaway Celtic Tiger economy preying on voters' minds.

Reuters - Oil surged, the dollar weakened and government debt turned strongly higher on Friday after an unexpected jump in the U.S. unemployment rate rattled investors who believe the American economy was recovering.

AFP - Europe's main stock markets rallied Friday as energy companies garnered support from surging crude oil prices which boost their profits, analysts said.