First-quarter revenues at the London Stock Exchange rose 8 percent thanks to buoyant information and settlement services, the group said on Wednesday, sending its shares up 11 percent.

More and more U.S. investors are moving money across the pond, looking for opportunities within the European Union which  makes up 25 percent of the total global stock market capitalization of around $55 trillion.

Barclays plans to raise billions of pounds by selling stakes to outside investors and offering shares to existing shareholders to boost its balance sheet, sending its shares soaring on Monday.

Britain's financial watchdog said investors with significant short positions in companies issuing rights will have to disclose those positions, as it unveiled a review of the efficiency of the capital-raising process.

Homebuilders in the UK still have tough times ahead and need large interest-rate cuts quickly to become attractive for investors again, officials and analysts said Monday.

Qatar's prime minister, who heads the country's $60 billion sovereign wealth fund, said he favors investing in European over U.S. lenders because U.S. bank stocks are likely to fall further.