European stocks rose on Tuesday, led by Daimler after news that the German carmaker will resume share buybacks and on strength in miners such as Rio Tinto amid takeover speculation.

European shares slid, led by banks, after a gauge of U.S. regional manufacturing fell short of forecasts on Monday, while Lehman Brothers results were in line with the company's estimates on June 9.

European stocks closed up on Friday, spurred by a rebound in banks and tracking a rally on Wall Street as retreating oil prices and U.S. data eased inflation concerns.

European shares rallied on Thursday, after six days of declines, as banks and mining stocks rose, while the bid from Belgian brewer InBev for U.S. rival Anheuser-Busch boosted beverage stocks.

European shares fell on Wednesday as bank stocks sank on both sides of the Atlantic -- notably Royal Bank of Scotland in Europe -- and as high oil prices stoked fears of rising inflation and slower growth.

European stocks fell for the fifth straight day on Tuesday, dragged down by commodities shares to their lowest close in more than two months.

European shares were lower by midday on Monday, as a big loss at Lehman Brothers weighed on banks, offsetting gains in the energy sector as oil prices hovered near record highs.

Dutch supermarket group Ahold reported first-quarter operating profit in line with forecasts on Friday and raised its 2008 target after an asset sale, saying it was coping with tougher economic conditions.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which has launched an investigation into possible price manipulation in U.S. oil markets, may soon probe trading in other commodities, analysts said.

Toyota Motor is considering downgrading its U.S. sales forecast to account for a worsening outlook for pick-up trucks and other big vehicles, the Financial Times newspaper said on Monday.

Asian markets edged up Friday, led by exporters in Japan, as fears of a deep U.S. recession receded, but gains were capped by worries that inflation will cut into growth and lead to higher borrowing costs.

Asian markets rallied Thursday with Japanese shares making their biggest daily gain in a
month, after a monthly gauge of U.S. business spending rose to its highest this year. Tokyo closed 3 percent higher, but China's main index slumped.  

Asian markets were mostly lower Wednesday, as a cloudy U.S. economic outlook and lingering inflation fears left investors skittish. Australia, Japan and South Korea all closed over 1 percent lower.

Bank of America plans to exercise part of an option to buy shares of China Construction Bank, investing $1.86 billion and raising its stake in China's second-largest bank to 10.75%.

Top contract chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing said on Tuesday it may increase its prices as rising costs threaten to squeeze profits.