FTSE

Thomas Cook will close 200 underperforming shops and 500 hotels and is lining up further disposals, as it battles to cut debt and restore confidence among investors and customers after a bailout by its banks.

European shares fell on Wednesday at mid-day after the Federal Reserve warned that the Eurozone debt crisis was a risk to the U.S. economy and did not signal any fresh stimulus measures to boost growth.

Gold prices fell for a third consecutive day Wednesday -- extending a weeklong plunge to more than 6 percent -- after the U.S. central bank warned that slowing global growth threatens the nation's weak recovery.

Asian shares drifted lower and the euro idled near an 11-month low on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve failed to take any new steps to stimulate growth and offset the chilling effects of Europe's still-unresolved sovereign debt crisis.

European marketss ended mixed Tuesday in thin trade as firmer crude prices boosted energy stocks, although the market cut gains after sources said German Chancellor Angela Merkel was against a raising of the funding limit for Europe's future bailout fund.

European shares rose on Tuesday, bouncing from a steep sell-off in the previous session, though strategists said investors would need to feel more confident about a resolution to the Eurozone crisis before the market could break out of a recent range.

Gold prices tumbled to a six-week low Monday as bank selling and a skyrocketing dollar offset support from central bank buying.

European shares posted their biggest fall in three weeks on Monday, as investors worried the measures outlined at last week's EU summit to strengthen budget discipline would be of only limited value in resolving the Eurozone debt crisis.

Precious metals assets tumbled Monday on doubts that last week's Eurozone restructuring plan addresses immediate threats of dollar liquidity, bank defaults and national bankruptcies.

European shares retreated on Monday as enthusiasm faded over a European Union deal on greater fiscal integration, with the market unconvinced that the EU has done enough to provide immediate relief to the Eurozone's indebted countries.

But skepticism crept in as investors are unconvinced apparently that the Eurozone has solved its problems and finally has it right in the attempt to solve Europe's sovereign debt crisis. Credit rating agency Moody's summed it up best in a weekly credit report, perhaps, saying last week's summit and plan offers few new measures.

Gold prices dropped 1.8 percent Monday as the dollar rose on disappointment with last week's Eurozone summit and key price support for gold failed.

European shares rose on Friday in a tentative relief rally, recouping back most of the losses in the previous session after a majority of European leaders agreed to work towards stricter budget discipline, at a crucial summit.

European stocks were up around mid-day on Friday in a roller coaster session, with a key index bouncing between major technical levels following an agreement by European leaders for tighter Eurozone budget rules.

European shares fell to a one-week closing low on Thursday after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi gave no indication it would aggressively increase its bond-buying program and said the region's economy faced increased downside risks.

West Africa-focused gold producer Avocet Mining expects to enter the FTSE 250 index in the March reshuffle and tap investment from index tracking funds.

British luxury fashion brand Mulberry said it had substantial room for growth in Europe, the United States and Asia, as it reported first-half profit more than treble last year's due to robust international demand.

European shares slipped back slightly in cautious trade on Wednesday, ahead of a EU summit this week, amid uncertainty about the chances a comprehensive deal would be reached to help end the region's debt crisis.

European stocks rose to a five-week closing high on Monday, after French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel agreed on a range of measures to help resolve the Eurozone debt crisis.

European stocks rose early on Monday, adding to last week's 8.5 percent jump on growing hopes of a comprehensive solution to the Eurozone debt crisis as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel meet ahead of a key summit.

Asian shares and the euro steadied on Monday on hopes European leaders would agree on a definitive plan to solve the euro zone's debt crisis at a crucial summit this week, with sentiment also getting a lift from Italy unveiling austerity steps.