Mike McCudden

Europe's main stock markets lost ground on Monday on news that Cyprus might tax bank deposits as part of a controversial international bailout.

Europe's main stock markets sank on Monday as investors reacted to weekend news that Cyprus plans to tax bank depositors as part of a controversial bailout deal.

Europe's main stock markets tumbled on Monday by more than 1.0 percent in early deals as investors reacted to weekend news that Cyprus plans to tax bank depositors as part of a controversial bailout deal.

Shares in London hit their highest levels on Wednesday since the 2008 global financial crisis, as investors were buoyed by resurgent global economic optimism and a fresh intra-day record in the United States.

European stock markets hit multi-year peaks on Wednesday, with Frankfurt and London at their highest levels since the 2008 global financial crisis, as investors were buoyed by resurgent global economic optimism and a fresh intra-day record in the United States.

Shares in British high street retailer Marks & Spencer fell on Thursday, but clawed back earlier heavy losses, as investors fretted over sliding sales in the key Christmas holiday trading period.

Europe's main stock markets fell back on Monday as investors booked profits from big gains last week, but bank shares surged after a top rule-setting body said it would relax its asset requirements for the sector.

Europe's main stock markets fell on Monday as investors took profits from big gains last week, but bank shares surged after a top rule-setting body said it would relax its asset requirements for the sector.

Europe's main stock markets climbed on Tuesday as investors welcomed signs of progress in talks on a new deficit-cutting budget to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff in the United States, dealers said.

Europe's main stock markets closed mostly little changed on Monday, with Milan shares plunging after Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti announced his intention to resign, in the latest twist to the eurozone debt crisis.

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.

European stock markets slipped lower on Tuesday as investors took profits after Moody's stripped France of its coveted triple-A rating, and before more eurozone talks on Greece's latest bailout cash.

Europe's main stock markets advanced on Tuesday in cautious deals as investors awaited the outcome of the US presidential election and digested news of bumper profits from carmaker BMW.

London shares closed higher in cautious deals as investors awaited the outcome of the US presidential election.

London shares closed lower amid renewed worries about Greek debt and in the absence of US investors with Wall Street closed because of Hurricane Sandy, dealers said.

European stock markets fell on Monday awaiting pivotal debt talks on Greece and after US trading was suspended as Hurricane Sandy bore down on New York.

London shares dipped Tuesday after the International Monetary Fund cut its forecasts for global economic growth, dealers said.

European stock markets fell Tuesday after the International Monetary Fund cut its forecasts for global economic growth, while sentiment was also dogged by Spanish bailout speculation, dealers said.

Europe's main stock markets slid Thursday as poor European and Chinese manufacturing data eclipsed news of the Spanish government's successful long-term bond auction, dealers said.

Europe's main stock markets fell Thursday as poor European and Chinese manufacturing data eclipsed news of the Spanish government's successful long-term bond auction, dealers said.