European markets were mixed Thursday, with more losers than gainers.

The gainer was Madrid’s IBEX, which added 0.5 percent to 15,507.1.

Elsewhere, the pan-European FTSE Eurofirst 300 was down 0.78 percent to 1,572.92 while in Frankfurt, the Dax dropped 0.8 percent to 7,921.4 and the Paris CAC-40 fell 0.89 percent to 5,767.24.

Truck maker Man (FWB: EDF1) was 2.31 percent higher to €121.75, for the best performance on the Dax, on reports that Swedish rival Scania (OMX: SCV B) could offer a bid soon.

Volkswagen (FWB: VOW; OTC: VLKAY), which owns stakes in both Man and Scania, was up 0.86 percent to €175.53.

Elsewhere in the sector, Peugeot (Euronext: UG; OTC: PEUGY) added 0.68 percent to €58.02.

Over on the CAC-40 the best performance came from Lagardere (Euronext: MMB), with interest in both media and the defense sector.

Lagardere added 2.22 percent to €59.05 on rumors that it could delist its shares.

The biggest loser on the Dax was software group SAP (FWB: SAP), which dropped 3.31 percent to €38.23 despite a third-quarter report that profits were up by 10 percent, not as much as had been anticipated.

Construction-related shares were mixed.

Builder Vinci (Euronext: DG) was slightly higher, adding 0.08 percent to €52.50.

On the other hand Bouygues (Euronext: EN), with interests in both construction and media, dropped 2.11 percent to €63.11.

Meanwhile, construction materials group Lafarge (Euronext: LG; NYSE: LR) fell 1.39 percent to €115.52.

European markets were higher on Thursday’ session.

The FTSE Eurofirst 300 was up 0.6 percent to 1,599.12.

The Paris CAC-40 was 0.42 percent higher to 5,862.83, while the Dax gained 0.59 percent to 8,033.69 and the IBEX jumped 1.59 percent to 15,100.

Volkswagen (FWB: VOW; OTC: VLKAY) was the biggest gainer on the Dax, where it added 4.75 percent to €183.60.

Over on the CAC-40, France Telecom (Euronext: FTE; NYSE: FTE) was up 4.24 percent to €24.12 after Telefonica (IBEX-35: TEF) said its divedend would go up.

The steel sector saw gains, with Mittal Steel (Euronext: MT; NYSE: MT) adding 1.64 percent to €56.48 and ThyssenKrupp (FWB: TKA; LSE: THK) gaining 2.54 percent to €45.18.

Steel products manufacturer Vallourec (Euronext: VK) was 2.64 percent higher to €220.38.

Airlines were mixed on the session.

Lufthansa (FWB: LHA) added 2.36 percent to €21.69, but Air France (Euronext: AF; NYSE: AKH) was down 1.66 percent to €28.39.

Banks were lower.

Deutsche Bank (FWB: DBK; NYSE: DB) dropped 0.66 percent to €93.20, while Credit Agricole (Euronext: ACA) was down 0.82 percent to €27.70 and Societe Generale (Euronext: GLE) was 0.95 percent lower to €123.70.

L’Oreal (Euronext: OR) had the worst day on the CAC-40, dropping 1.75 percent to €90.71 after it lost a legal action intended to prevent another firm from selling a perfume similar to one of its products.

Meanwhile, software maker SAP (FWB: SAP; NYSE: SAP) was the worst performer on the Dax, falling 1.99 percent to €38.79.

Markets were lower in Europe on the session Monday.

The FTSE Eurofirst 300 was 0.3 percent lower to 1,580.11.

In Paris, the CAC-40 dropped 0.24 percent to 5,829.4, while the Dax was down 0.35 percent to 7,974.37.

Madrid’s IBEX fell 0.56 percent to 14,809.

Software company SAP (FWB: SAP; NYSE: SAP) dropped 4.04 percent to €39.83 after it said it would pay €4.9 billion for rival Business Objects (Euronext: BOB; NAS: BOBJ), which gained 17 percent to €41.07.

On the other hand, Alstom (Euronext: ALO) was the biggest gainer on the CAC-40, adding 2.39 percent to €152.77 on the news that builder Bouygues (Euronext: EN) had raised its stake in the manufacturer and power generator, spurring speculation that a takeover is in the works.

Banks were mixed.

While Dexia (Euronext: DEXB) added 0.53 percent to €22.79, BNP Paribas (Euronext: BNP; TYO: 8665) was down 0.74 percent to €81.80 and Credit Agricole (Euronext: ACA) dropped 1.18 percent to €28.42.

Utilities were mixed as well, with EDF (Euronext: EEN) 0.65 percent higher to €74.56 but Suez (Euronext: SZE; NYSE: SZE) falling 0.72 percent to €41.41.

Volkswagen (FWB: VOW; OTC: VLKAY) had the best day on the Dax as it added 1.94 percent to €171.45.

Elsewhere in the sector, Peugeot (Euronext: UG; OTC: PEUGY) was up 0.37 percent to €60.16.

The biggest decliner on the Dax was financial planners MLP (FWB: MLP), which dropped 4.36 percent to €10.95, while Air France (Euronext AF; NYSE: AKH) had the worst day on the CAC-40 as it fell 2.98 percent to €28.29.

Europe’s markets saw gains on Thursday.

The FTSE Eurofirst 300 was 0.72 percent higher to 1,550.68.

In Madrid, the IBEX gained 0.48 percent to 14,582.9.

The Dax was up 0.64 percent to 7,853.79, while the Paris CAC-40 added 0.75 percent to 5,733.37.

Airlines were higher, with Lufthansa (FWB: LHA) turning in the best performance on the Dax as it added 2.67 percent to €20.34. Air France was also higher, gaining 4.27 percent to €26.14.

Banks saw gains, with Societe Generale (Euronext: GLE) up 1.84 percent to €120.16 and BNP Paribas (Euronext: BNP; TYO: 8665) as it added 2.76 percent to €76.31.

Insurer Allianz (FWB: FWB: ALV; NYSE: AZ) was up 1.86 percent to €163.46.

Manufacturer Saint-Gobain (Euronext: SGO) had the best day on the CAC-40, gaining 5.21 percent to €73.09.

Carmakers were mixed.

Peugeot (Euronext: UG; OTC: PEUGY) was 1.79 percent higher to €58.13 and Renault (Euronext: RNO) was up 1.87 percent to €101.77, but BMW (FWB: BMW) dropped 1.36 percent to €37.74.

In the semiconductors sector, STMicroelectronics (Euronext: STM; NYSE: STM) was down 0.85 percent to €11.70, while software maker SAP (FWB: SAP; NYSE: SAP) was 1 percent lower to €40.75.

Financial planners MLP (FWB: MLP) had the worst day on the Dax as it dropped 2.48 percent to €9.04.

Meanwhile, food processor Groupe Danone (Euronext: BN; NYSE: DA) had the worst performance on the CAC-40, falling 1.63 percent to €56.

European markets were significantly lower on the session.

The FTSE Eurofirst 300 fell 2.29 percent to 1,492.66.

The IBEX dropped 2.29 percent to 13,873.4 in Madrid, while in Frankfurt the Dax was down 2.43 percent to 7,436.63 and the CAC-40 was 2.63 percent lower in Paris.

There were no gainers on the CAC-40 on the session, while property group Unibail (Euronext: UL) dropped 5.99 percent to €168.52 for the worst performance on that index.

There were only three winners on the Dax.

The best performer was Fresenius Medical Care (FWB: FREG) with a gain of 1.12 percent to €36.01.

In the pharmaceuticals sector, Schering (FWB: SCH) was up 0.44 percent to €104.30, while software group SAP (FWB: SAP; NYSE: SAP) added 0.27 percent to €40.40.

The worst performer on the Dax was Commerzbank (FWB: CBK), which dropped 5.20 percent to €28.57.

In the Paris banking sector, Societe Generale (Euronext: GLE) fell 3.91 percent to €113.90.

The car and truck manufacturing sector was lower on the session.

BMW (FWB: BMW) was down 3.64 percent to €35.49, while Renault (Euronext: RNO) dropped 4.28 percent to €90.47 and truck maker Man (FWB: EDF1) was 4.61 percent lower to €100.74.

Aerospace group EADS (Euronext: EAD; FWB: EAD) fell 4.49 percent to €20.23.

Schneider Electric was down 4.3 percent to €92.89. Construction materials group Lafarge (Euronext: LG; NYSE: LR) dropped 3.85 percent to €107.50.

European markets were higher on the session Wednesday.

The Eurofirst 300 gained 1.57 percent to 1,505.51.

In Madrid the IBEX added 0.84 percent to 14,359.2, while the Dax was 1.02 percent higher to 7,500.48 in Frankfurt and the Paris CAC-40 was up 1.83 percent to 4,418.17 and had no losers on the day.

The biggest gainer on the day in Paris was construction group Vinci (Euronext: DG), which added 6.41 percent to €51.

Buoygues (Euronext: EN), which has interests in both construction and media, gained 4.05 percent to €53.93.

The steel sector was also higher.

ThyssenKrupp (FWB: TKA; LSE: THK) was 2.14 percent higher to €41.92, while Mittal Steel (Euronext: MT; NYSE: MT) was up 4.98 percent to €44.45.

In addition Vallourec (Euronext: VK), which manufactures steel products, was up 4.47 percent to €190.71.

In the semiconductors sector Infineon (FWB: IFX; NYSE: IFX) gained 2.76 percent to €11.17 on the news that it is looking to buy.

Among airlines, Lufthansa (FWB: LHA) added 2.29 percent to €20.64, while Air France (Euronext: AF; NYSE: AKH) was up 3.82 percent to €29.38.

Fresenius Medical Care (FWB: FREG) was the biggest decliner on the Dax, dropping 1.89 percent to €34.85.

Other decliners included utility RWE (FWB: RWE), which fell 0.44 percent to €80.65.

Software maker SAP (FWB: SAP; NYSE: SAP) was 0.21 percent lower to €38.71.

European equities markets were higher Monday.

The FTSE Eurofirst 300 gained 2.37 percent to 1,514.49.

In Frankfurt the Dax was 1.78 percent higher to 7,474.33, while Madrid’s IBEX added 1.92 percent to 14,731.8 and the Paris CAC-40 was up 2.21 percent to 5,569.28.

Car and truck manufacturers saw gains.

Peugeot (Euronext: UG; OTC: PEUGY) was up 3.24 percent to €59.57 and Renault (Euronext: RNO) gained 3.79 percent to €98.74 in Paris, while in Frankfurt DaimlerChrysler (FWB: DCX; NYSE: DCX; TYO: 7663) was up to €62.45 and truck manufacturer Man (FWB: EDF1) gained 4.63 percent to €98.53.

Airlines were also higher, with Lufthansa (FWB: LHA) up 4.23 percent to €19.92 while Air France (Euronext: AF; NYSE: AKH) added 5.04 percent to €30.

Chemicals group Altana (FWB: ALT; NYSE: AAA) had the best day on the Dax with a gain of 5.15 percent to €15.71.

Meanwhile, the best performer on the CAC-40 was tire maker Michelin (Euronext: ML), which was 5.35 percent higher to €88.81.

Other gainers included steel maker ThyssenKrupp (FWB: TKA; LSE: THK) with a gain of 3.82 percent to €39.65 on a broker upgrade from “hold” to “add”.

Property investor Unibail (Euronext: UL) turned in the worst performance on the CAC-40, dropping 1.96 percent to €170.77, while the worst day on the Dax was in the financial services sector as MLP (FWB: MLPB) - formerly Marschollek, Lautenschlager, and Partner - with a decline of 2.84 percent to €12.33.

Software manufacturer SAP (FWB: SAP; NYSE: SAP) fell 0.53 percent to 39.29.

Food processor Groupe Danone (Euronext: BN; NYSE: DA) was 0.69 percent lower to €54.35, while drinks producer Pernon-Ricard (Euronext: RI) dropped 0.88 percent to €153.76.

Most European markets were higher on Monday.

The FTSE Eurofirst 300 was 0.58 percent higher to 1,609.07.

In Madrid, the IBEX added 0.85 percent to 15,056.7, while the CAC-40 gained 0.87 percent to 6,009.16 in Paris and the Dax was 0.88 percent higher to 7,944.21 in Frankfurt.

Carmakers saw gains, with DaimlerChrysler (FWB: DCX; NYSE: DCX; TYO: 7663) up 2.73 percent to €66.82 ahead of its second quarter report.

Peugeot (Euronext: UG; OTC: PEUGY) added 1.78 percent to €65.10 after a broker raised its target share price.

On the other hand, truck manufacturer Man (FWB: EDF1) dropped 0.31 percent to €107.20.

In a related sector, tire maker Michelin (Euronext: ML) had the best day on the CAC-40 as it gained 2.75 percent to €104.73.

Meanwhile, the best performer on the Dax was software group SAP (FWB: SAP; NYSE: SAP), which was 2.85 percent higher to €41.07 on rumors that it could be a target of private equity.

In energy-related sectors, utility Suez (Euronext: SZE; NYSE: SZE) was up 1.42 percent to €41.40, while power generator Alstom (Euronext: ALO) gained 1.52 percent to €136.59.

In the oil sector, Total (Euronext: FP; NSYE: TOT) added 1.82 percent to €60.55.

The worst performances of the day came from Infineon (FWB: IFX; NYSE: IFX), which was 0.62 percent lower in Frankfurt to €12.87, and property company Unibail (Euronext: UL), which dropped 1.75 percent to €184.86 in Paris.

Other decliners included chemical group Altana (FWB: ALT; NYSE: AAA), which was 0.34 percent lower to €17.61.

IT services group Cap Gemini (Euronext: CAP) fell 0.55 percent to €55.64, while in the retail sector Carrefour (Euronext: CA) was down 0.19 percent to €53.26.

Equities markets in Europe were higher on Thursday, with the FTSE Eurofirst 300 rising 0.92 percent to 1,617.76.

The IBEX added 0.99 percent to 15,207.3 in Madrid, while the Paris CAC-40 gained 1.16 percent to 6,065.5 and the Dax was 1.24 percent higher in Frankfurt to 7,991.21.

The best performer on the Dax on the session was software group SAP (FWB: SAP; NYSE: SAP), which gained 6.06 percent to €40.14 after it reported that software licensing sales were up 18 percent in the second quarter.

IT Services company Cap Gemini (Euronext: CAP) had the best day in Paris, adding 3.95 percent to €57.11.

Other gainers on the session included STMicroelectronics (Euronext: STM; NYSE: STM), which was 2.14 percent higher to €14.34 and builder Vinci (Euronext: DG), which was up 2.13 percent to €57.19.
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Engineering group Siemens (FWB: SIE; NYSE: SI) gained 2.85 percent to €108.35, while in the steel sector ThyssenKrupp (FWB: TKA; LSE: THK) added 1.7 percent to €44.34.

The automobile manufacturing sector was mixed, with Peugeot (Euronext: UG; OTC: PEUGY) up 2.29 percent to €63.10 but BMW (FWB: BMW) down 0.08 percent to €38.94.

There were only two decliners on the CAC-40.

Drinks maker Pernod-Ricard (Euronext: RI) dropped 0.04 percent to €164.53, while utility EDF (Euronext: EEN) fell 0.63 percent to €77.02.

European markets saw gains on Tuesday. The FSTE Eurofirst 300 added 0.8 percent to 1,612.5. In Madrid, the IBEX was 0.44 percent higher to 14,869.4, while the CAC-40 in Paris gained 0.71 percent to 6,069.84. The Dax was up 1.16 percent to 8,050.68 in Frankfurt.

Carmakers were mixed in Europe. Peugeot (Euronext: UG; OTC: PEUGY) was 2.09 percent higher to €61.14, while Renault (Euronext: RNO) added 2.69 percent to €121.38 and Volkswagen (OTC: VLKAY) gained 2.99 percent to €120.55. On the other hand, BMW (FWB: BMW) dropped 0.22 percent to €40.34.

In related news, German truck maker and engineering group Man (FWB: EDF1) had the best day on the Dax, adding 4.14 percent to €111.97.

The worst performance of the day on the Dax came from software group SAP (FWB: SAP; NYSE: SAP), which dropped 2.11 percent to €37.10 after it admitted that one of its units had made “inappropriate downloads” from rival software group Oracle (NAS: ORCL).

Retailers did well in Paris. Carrefour (Euronext: CA) had the best day on the CAC-40, adding 3.09 percent to €53.09, while luxury goods retailer PPR (Euronext: PP) did almost as well, gaining 2.94 percent to €131.47.

Air France (Euronext: AF; NYSE: AKH) saw the biggest loss of the day on the 40, dropping 1.72 percent to €33.75.