European stock markets diverged on Wednesday, with London rallying on an increasing prospect of more cash stimulus from the Bank of England, while Paris dropped on profit-taking, analysts said.

European stock markets diverged on Wednesday, with London rallying on an increasing prospect of more cash stimulus from the Bank of England, while Paris dropped on profit taking, analysts said.

European stocks rallied on Tuesday, propelled by news of soaring investor sentiment in eurozone powerhouse Germany.

Europe's main stock markets retreated on Friday while the dollar and euro rose against the yen as Group of 20 finance ministers met amid growing talk of "currency wars".

Europe's main stock markets advanced on Friday while the dollar and euro rose against the yen as Group of 20 finance ministers met amid growing talk of "currency wars".

Europe's main stock markets paused on Friday as investors awaited the start of a Group of 20 meeting that is expected to focus on growing talk of "currency wars", analysts said.

Europe's main stock markets sank on Thursday following news that the eurozone recession deepened in the final three months of last year, but some major companies were boosted by upbeat results.

London equities weakened at the open on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 index of top companies down 0.05 percent at 6,356.16 points.

London shares closed higher on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 index of leading companies gaining 0.33 percent to 6,359.11 points.

London shares fell at the open on Wednesday as European markets diverged following overnight losses in Tokyo and mixed trade on Wall Street.

London shares closed higher on Tuesday, led by Barclays as it cheered investors by announcing cost-cutting measures.

London equities fell as markets opened on Tuesday following losses on Wall Street and after closing higher the previous day amid signs of recovery in the global economy.

European stock markets mostly rose and the euro advanced against the dollar on Monday as eurozone finance ministers met in Brussels after last week's EU budget deal.

European stock markets mostly rose and the euro advanced against the dollar on Monday ahead of a meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels after last week's historic EU budget deal.

European stock markets rose on Friday but the euro slipped against the dollar as investors took heart from upbeat Chinese and US economic data and EU leaders agreed on a seven-year budget for the 27-member union.

European stocks diverged and the euro fell sharply against the dollar Thursday after the ECB held its key rate despite calls by France and others for looser monetary policy.

European stocks rose and the euro climbed against the dollar Thursday ahead of interest rate announcements from the ECB and Bank of England, while boardroom shake-ups featured heavily in company news.

Most major European stock markets fell on Wednesday but London eked out a gain as shares in the Royal Bank of Scotland rose despite the bank facing big fines over the Libor rate-rigging scandal.

European stock markets mostly fell on Wednesday but London's FTSE gained as Royal Bank of Scotland shares rose even though the bank said that it faces big fines over the Libor rate-rigging crisis.

Europe's main stock markets staged a modest recovery on Tuesday as investors went bargain hunting for shares that had slumped sharply the previous day on political uncertainty in Italy and Spain, dealers said.