Thursday 23rd July

23/07/09 20:37 CET

markets

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European shares jumped in afternoon trade to end the day ahead for the ninth straight session and at their highest level since last November.

Investors reacted to an improvement in French business confidence, a rise in UK retail sales and new data showing sales of previously owned homes in the United States rose at a faster pace than expected in June. The main US estate agents association said sales were up 3.6 percent, their third monthly increase. Also pushing up European bourses, Swiss bank Credit Suisse’s higher-than-expected second-quarter profits and a bullish two-year forecast from drugmaker Roche. The rally in shares – on both sides of the Atlantic – helped boost oil prices by around two percent.More about: Banking, Markets

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Mali: Rebel groups agree to creation of Islamic state

Two Rebel groups have agreed to merge and create an independent Islamic state in Northern Mali. After seizing Azawad – an area larger than France – two months ago, the groups had initially disagreed, with the secular Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)…