Retailers Propel Rallies in Europe
A Wall Street Journal News Roundup</br></br>European stock markets ended the week firmer, buoyed by retailers, as the prospect of merger activity rippled through the sector. Indexes reversed early losses after U.S. jobs data eased worries over an economic slowdown.</br></br>In Asia, Japan's stock market rose on stronger-than-expected machinery orders, but the Hong Kong market was dragged down by selling in China Mobile ahead of a reweighting in the benchmark Hang Seng Index.</br></br>In LONDON, the FTSE 100 Index rose 17.50 points, or 0.3%, to 6245.20. Alliance Boots leapt 14% on a takeover bid, later revealed to be from its deputy chairman and private-equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. The deal is valued at GBP 9.7 billion ($18.72 billion).</br></br>In PARIS, the CAC 40 rose 13.58 points, or 0.3%, to 5537.84. European Aeronautic Defence & Space fell 4.6% after reporting a fourth-quarter loss.