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.

Reuters - Stocks rose on Thursday after government data showed a sharp increase in retail sales last month, calming worries about the profit outlook, while news of a $46 billion takeover bid for brewer Anheuser-Busch boosted optimism about share valuations.

AP - A dose of good economic news and a buyout offer for Anheuser-Busch Cos. gave Wall Street a rebound Thursday, sending the Dow Jones industrials jumping more than 120 points. Treasury prices fell, driving yields higher, as investors returned to stocks.

AFP - The US Securities and Exchange Commission rolled out a series of proposals Wednesday aimed at overhauling the credit rating industry which has been criticized for worsening the global credit crunch.

Reuters - Stocks sank on Wednesday, with all three indexes losing around 2 percent, after oil prices shot back near their record high, stoking fears about inflation and its toll on consumers.

AFP - Asian stocks were sharply down on Thursday following an overnight tumble on Wall Street driven by another spike in oil prices and new inflation worries.

AP - Wall Street tumbled Wednesday as oil prices rebounded, fanning concerns that inflation will further pinch consumers and lead central banks to raise interest rates. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 200 points to its lowest close since mid-March.

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.

Reuters - Stocks were solidly lower on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve's Beige Book said economic activity was generally weak in late April and early June 2, adding to concerns about a surge in oil prices and further financial sector losses.

AP - Wall Street fell sharply Wednesday as oil prices rebounded, aggravating concerns that inflation may lead the world's central banks to raise interest rates. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 150 points.

Reuters - Wall Street mostly sagged on Tuesday as concern that interest rates will climb hurt technology shares, but the Dow managed to close on the positive side after an upgrade of Coca-Cola Co shares.

AP - Wall Street closed mostly lower Tuesday after a dip in oil prices failed to keep investors from fretting over the economic consequences of steep energy costs.

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.