Thursday 10th September

10/09/09 20:25 CET

markets

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European share closed little changed but still near their best levels in eleven months.

Frankfurt was the strongest performer. Among the factors were encouraging US jobs data and the fact that the US trade deficit widened in July by the most in more than 10 years as imports increased. The technology sector reacted positively to US microchip maker Texas Instruments raising its earnings forecast for the third quarter and Dutch semiconductor equipment firm ASML increasing its sales outlook, thanks to higher demand in some chip markets. Nokia, Alcatel-Lucent, Infineon and Logitech all gained. Media shares also did well. General retailers were lower. Home Retail fell 6.7 percent as investors took profits after Britain’s biggest household goods retailer reported better-than-expected second-quarter sales at both its Argos and Homebase businesses. Crude oil prices were little changed following soothing comments from OPEC. The dollar remained weak against a range of currencies, including the euro and the pound.More about: European markets, European Union, 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)…