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The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) has improved further in both the EU and the Euro area in October 2010, however in Cyprus, after five months of continuous improvement, it has dropped. According

President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet called on Wednesday for prudence and cautiousness as regards the economic crisis. ''We never declare victory (on the economy),'' Trichet told a news conference

Piraeus Bank announces 1.05 bln euro capital boost Piraeus Bank <BOPr.AT>, Greece's fourth-largest lender, announced a 1.05 billion euros ($1.5 billion) cash call to better deal with stricter capital adequacy conditions and

 Piraeus Bank <BOPr.AT>, Greece's fourth largest lender, said on Friday it plans to boost capital by 1.05 billion euros ($1.45 billion), in view of stricter capital adequacy rules. Confirming an earlier Reuters

Britain's top share index rose on Thursday, buoyed by commodity stocks which rebounded after sharp falls in the previous session, with Royal Dutch Shell in demand as investors cheered its third-quarter results.

Russia is preparing legislation to set up private security firms using ex-soldiers and police to protect its oil, gas and mineral holdings in conflict zones abroad, a lawmaker and ex-KGB officer said

German government bonds rose on Thursday, finding some support from stronger U.S. Treasuries and a further sell-off in peripheral euro zone debt, led by Portuguese and Irish bonds. Bunds were recovering after

Japan's Nikkei average slipped to its lowest close in six weeks on Thursday as a short-covering boost after the Bank of Japan unveiled details of its asset-buying scheme failed to last. The

Hong Kong stocks ended slightly higher on Thursday, with gains by banks on the back of stronger-than-expected earnings offsetting declines in property and energy counters. The benchmark Hang Seng Index closed up