European shares slipped back from a 10-month closing high on Wednesday, as investors took profits, even as German and U.S. economic data continued to point to recovery.

Risk aversion returned to markets on Thursday, supporting the U.S. dollar and government bonds, after mixed economic data, while concern about the possible failure of a small U.S. lender sparked caution following the week’s robust gains in stocks.

European shares climbed 1 percent on Monday, boosted by upbeat euro zone data, while the dollar steadied after falling late last week on a renewed call by China for a super-sovereign reserve currency.

MSCI world equity index down 0.85 pct at 212.56… Rally after UK bank rescue package evaporates… S&P ratings downgrade on Spain hits euro

U.S., European stocks slide after dismal jobs report… Dollar falls to 7-week low vs yen, but rises vs euro… US government debt falls in face of historic low yields… Crude prices fall to lowest level in almost four years

Take our quiz: Is the market even close to normal anymore?… Credit freeze continues to thaw… Mayer and Denning on what companies need to rebound… Home prices fall again, consumer confidence crashes, but market rallies? … Eric Fry on when this global financial trauma will come to an end… Plus, want a DVD copy of I.O.U.S.A.? Get the details below…

Overseas markets surged early Tuesday as government-backed bank-bailout plans in the United States, Europe and Japan persuaded investors to jump back into stocks.

Why housebuilders are demanding state hand-outs… More hilarity in the housing industry this weekend. Builders are now demanding state help. As housing sales have collapsed, the construction industry faces mass redundancies, while house builders themselves have seen their share prices dive.

It caused quite a stir at the Barclays bank branch in Enfield, north London. It was 1967 and actor Reg Varney, popular at the time in the hit TV sitcom On The Buses, opened the first hole in the wall cash machine.

I remember university. When I wasn’t diligently studying economics, that’ll be most of the time, then, I was doing what everyone does at that time of life. Trying to pack as much enjoyment into those three short years before I had to go out into the world and actually work for living.