The Swedish private equity group has paid €220m in a bid to become a broader enterprise IT software business to challenge leading global companies

Number of carmakers' shares on loan has risen, as traders bet that slowing growth will hurt even the continent's profitable producers

Few Swedish companies have complained about the strength of their currency, because many have benefited from pushing production abroad

Governments have invested about $1.7tn in financial institutions in the past four years, compared with $1.8tn in global privatisation assets since 1981

Italy's largest electricity company by revenue says a new tax introduced late last year has helped drag down first-half net profit by 29 per cent

German insurer is boosted by operating profits in life and health, which rose 21% and led the group to maintain full-year guidance

French group unlikely to force a quick sale of its share in video-games maker Activision Blizzard, preferring to review group in autumn

Intention to reduce capital stock, to issue shares to employees and executives, as well as for convertible bonds and warrants

Airlines group readies job cuts at subsidiary after the Spanish flag carrier records a €263m operating loss in the first half of 2012

French insurer reports first-half profits that beat expectations and says its strategy of focusing on less market-sensitive businesses is bearing fruit

Agreement marks first time luxury goods group has entered into standalone relationship with technology company to manage its e-commerce

In a week of European results, there has been little else to smile about for lenders apart from BNP's successful build-up of capital over the year