European stock markets mostly rose on Thursday helped by strong Chinese data and as traders looked ahead to the outcomes of the year's first monetary policy meetings from the ECB and Bank of England.

European stock markets climbed on Wednesday following a positive start to the US earnings season that helped to offset weaker news closer to home, analysts said.

European stock markets climbed on Wednesday following a positive start to the US earnings season that helped to offset weaker news closer to home, analysts said.

London equities steadied in opening deals on Monday after closing last week at an 18-month high.

London equities soared Wednesday, making a bright start on the first trading day of 2013, as investors welcomed news that the United States has clinched a deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff.

European stock markets dropped and the euro fell versus the dollar on Friday, the final trading day of the year for the Frankfurt index, which has soared in 2012 despite economic strains in the eurozone and United States.

Europe's main stock markets opened mixed on Thursday following an extended break amid the region's festive holiday season.

As 2012 draws to a close, the Frankfurt stock exchange's mid-cap MDAX index has been hitting record highs, reflecting the huge investor interest in Germany's small and medium-sized companies.

As 2012 draws to a close, the Frankfurt stock exchange's mid-cap MDAX index has been hitting record highs, reflecting the huge investor interest in Germany's small and medium-sized companies.

European stock markets sank on Friday, mirroring losses in Asia, as sentiment was rocked by unsuccessful talks to avert "fiscal cliff" measures that threaten to push the United States back into recession.

European stock markets sank on Friday, mirroring losses in Asia, as sentiment was rocked by unsuccessful talks to avert "fiscal cliff" measures, which threaten to push the United States back into recession.

The US stock market operator InterContinental Exchange (ICE) and transatlantic peer NYSE Euronext should soon unveil a tie-up, a source close to the deal told AFP on Thursday, confirming press reports on the subject.

Europe's main stock markets fell on Monday as investor worries over the impending US fiscal cliff overshadowed the election of a new leader in Japan, dealers said.

The FTSE 100 was stable in initial deals on Monday following overnight gains in Asia.

European stocks mostly rose Wednesday on hopes that the Federal Reserve would announce more stimulus measures, while investors shrugged off news that North Korea had launched a long-range rocket.

European stocks mostly rose Wednesday on hopes that the Federal Reserve would announce more stimulus measures, while investors shrugged off news that North Korea has launched a long-range rocket.

European stock markets sank on Monday, with Milan shares plunging after Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti announced his intention to resign, in the latest twist in the fast-moving eurozone debt crisis.

Europe's main stock markets posted mixed results on Friday, while the euro declined against the dollar as traders digested positive US monthly jobs data.

Europe's main stock markets mostly added to recent strong gains on Friday, while the euro fell versus the dollar as traders digested positive US monthly jobs data.

European stock markets rose on Wednesday in the wake of solid gains across Asia and as investors in London were kept busy with major company announcements ahead of Britain's budget update.