UK Markets News

European shares retreated on Friday, led by healthcare and media companies, at the end of a third week of gains dominated by signs that the world's big central banks are on the verge of another round of action to support growth.

European stocks surged to six-week highs on Thursday, as dovish signals from the Bank of England and Federal Reserve, allied to optimism around the resumption U.S.-China trade talks, saw investors piling into riskier assets.

European stock markets closed little changed on Wednesday in anticipation of the U.S. Federal Reserve policy statement, a day after European Central Bank's dovish calls raised hopes of a more accommodative Fed.

European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi's dovish remarks sent European stocks to six-week highs on Tuesday while news that the United States and China would resume trade talks at the G20 summit also boosted sentiment.

European stock markets closed marginally lower on Monday with a profit warning from Germany's Lufthansa hitting airline stocks, while markets globally awaited clues from the U.S. Federal Reserve on its policy direction.

Trade-sensitive technology stocks led losses in European markets on Friday after U.S. chipmaker Broadcom's sales warning and disappointing industrial data out of China came as the clearest signs yet of the damage trade war may do to global growth.

Gains for metal and mining companies helped European stocks end slightly higher on Thursday, with concerns over an attack on tankers in the Gulf of Oman and continuing U.S.-China trade tensions sapping early enthusiasm among investors.

Weakness in oil companies and banks halted a week long rally in European shares on Wednesday, as soft Chinese factory activity data and Washington's tough stance on trade talks with Beijing prompted investors to cash in some of June's gains.

European stocks finished higher for a third day on Tuesday, as German shares caught up with a global stock rally after a holiday on easing trade tensions, while fresh stimulus for China's slowing economy boosted the basic resources sector.