LONDON, May 16 (Reuters) – Demand for protection against a
sell-off in European stocks is down before options on a major
index expire on Friday, suggesting investors are confident a
months-long rally has further to go.

The Euro STOXX 50 index of top euro zone shares
has gained nearly 10 percent since a similar monthly expiry in
April, leaving almost all the “put” option bets by investors to
speculate on or protect themselves against stock falls set to
expire worthless.

LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) – Britain’s top share index held
near 5-1/2 year highs on Tuesday as a jump in water company
Severn Trent following a takeover approach was balanced by fresh
worries for miners, including a South African strike.

Shares in Severn Trent leapt 15.1 percent after it
confirmed it had been approached by a consortium led by Canadian
infrastructure investor Borealis and the Kuwait Investment
Authority.

LONDON, May 13 (Reuters) – Britain’s blue chip shares edged
up to fresh 5-1/2 year highs on Monday, reversing early losses
as strength in defensive stocks helped compensate for steep
losses in the banking sector.

The FTSE 100 closed up 6.78 points, or 0.1 percent,
at 6,631.76, extending its winning streak to eight days.

LONDON (Reuters) – Banks led Britain’s blue chip shares down on Monday, with Standard Chartered among the top fallers, pushing the FTSE 100 index from 5-1/2 year highs after seven straight sessions of gains.

At 11:45 a.m. British time, the FTSE 100 index was down 13.05 points, or 0.2 percent, at 6,611.93. Financials alone took 20 points off the index and all of the five major banks were in the red. Banks fell 2.2 percent, having gained 11.33 percent since April 18.

LONDON, May 13 (Reuters) – Banks led Britain’s blue chip
shares down on Monday, with Standard Chartered among the top
fallers, pushing the FTSE 100 index from 5-1/2 year highs after
seven straight sessions of gains.

At 1045 GMT, the FTSE 100 index was down 13.05
points, or 0.2 percent, at 6,611.93. Financials alone took 20
points off the index and all of the five major banks were in the
red. Banks fell 2.2 percent, having gained 11.33
percent since April 18.

LONDON, May 10 (Reuters) – Heavyweight telecom BT led
Britain’s top shares higher on Friday, with the blue-chip index
setting fresh 5-1/2 year highs as defensive stocks once again
outperformed growth-sensitive peers.

The FTSE 100 finished up 32.24 points, or 0.5
percent, at 6,624.98, its highest close since October 2007 and
just 4.7 percent off of 1999′s all time high. It is the index’s
seventh straight session of gains.

LONDON (Reuters) – Heavyweight telecom BT led the FTSE 100 on Friday, setting fresh 5-1/2 year highs on the top blue-chip index.

The FTSE 100 was up 33.55 points, or 0.5 percent, at 6,626.29 by 0854 BST, having hit an intraday high at 6,634.91, its highest level since November 2007 and just 4.5 percent off of 1999′s all time high. It is the index’s seventh straight session of gains.

LONDON, May 10 (Reuters) – Heavyweight telecom BT led
Britain’s top shares higher on Friday, setting fresh 5-1/2 year
highs on the top blue-chip index.

The FTSE 100 was up 33.55 points, or 0.5 percent, at
6,626.29 by 0754 GMT, having hit an intraday high at 6,634.91,
its highest level since November 2007 and just 4.5 percent off
of 1999′s all time high. It is the index’s seventh straight
session of gains.