European stocks stable amid ICI takeover bid
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Europe&#39;s main stock markets held steady at the half-way stage on Monday, amid news of a 14-billion-dollar takeover bid for British chemicals group Imperial Chemical Industries.
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French retailer Carrefour and chip  groups helped European shares hold their ground on Wednesday,  and merger moves in the construction sector lent support.
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European equities inched cautiously higher on Friday as bid talk lifted the banking sector and airlines got a boost after Ryanair made a surprise offer for newly-listed Aer Lingus.
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European shares opened steady on Tuesday  as a solid close on Wall Street overnight countered concerns  about higher energy and interest costs but Swiss chemical maker  Ciba fell after a downbeat outlook.
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European shares traded sideways on  Wednesday but banks were a bright spot as Britain's HBOS  rallied on relief it would not be wading into a bidding war for  domestic peer Abbey.
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Europe's main stock markets steadied in opening trade Monday, recovering from heavy losses ahead of the weekend on worries about a potential US recession which have also rattled Asian and US equities.
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European equity markets moved a little higher on Monday as industrial stocks were lifted by takeover speculation.
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European stock markets have risen as investors reacted to a series of newspaper reports suggesting possible takeover deals.
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European shares in the last full trading session before Christmas on Friday as a seasonal rally took hold with industrial metals and construction groups regaining lost ground.
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European equity markets ended Monday's session little changed after a volatile day's trade, with strong defensive stocks offsetting weakness for techs and other growth sectors.
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LONDON: European stock markets rallied yesterday as investors appreciated gains in New York and Asia and digested a flurry of company news.
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European stock markets have climbed, lifted by takeover speculation surrounding the utilities and transport sectors, and following solid gains in Tokyo and by Wall Street overnight, dealers said.
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Most European equity markets returning from the long holiday weekend had a steady session Tuesday, supported by merger activity.
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Bid activity in the steel sector led industrial metals groups higher, but European equity markets remained largely flat on Wednesday as losses for financial stocks weighed.
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European shares shrugged off a spike in  the euro to a fresh all-time high Wednesday, with telecoms  again leading the way higher after interim profits at Britain's  mm02 beat expectations.
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European equity markets ended higher on Tuesday, shrugging off early losses, as airline stocks were lifted by merger speculation, while industrial groups gained on earnings expectations.
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European stock markets rebounded Monday on takeover speculation after sharp losses the previous week that were sparked by concerns over higher global interest rates, dealers said.