AFP - Britain faced the threat of a recession on Friday after official figures showed the economy stuttered to a halt in the second quarter with its weakest performance for 16 years.

AFP - The FTSE 100 index finished near its session high Friday as investors took heart from signs of more merger and acquisition activity in the banking sector.

AFP - London shares closed nearly 1% higher Wednesday, breaking a three-day losing streak as commodities made gains.

AFP - The dollar slipped back Monday as investors took profits after recent gains while the euro found only modest support from a market anticipating more weakness in the European economy.

AFP - The dollar slipped back Monday on profit-taking after recent gains while the euro found only modest support as the market anticipated more weakness in the European economy.

AFP - Leading shares closed lower Friday as commodity stocks dragged down the FTSE despite better-than-expected US data.

AP - The euro-zone economy shrank 0.2 percent in the second quarter, EU statistics showed Thursday, raising recession fears as Germany, France and Italy braked sharply with high fuel and food prices holding back consumer spending.

AFP - London shares rose on Thursday as heavyweight miners were boosted by higher commodity prices.

AFP - London shares dipped on Wednesday, amid renewed jitters about the health of the world's top banks and slowing economic growth.