Shares of Seven & i Holdings surged to a two-year high on Thursday after Reuters reported activist investor ValueAct Capital took a stake in the Japanese owner of the 7-Eleven chain, signalling a potential shake-up at the retail giant.

European stocks were on track for their first weekly loss in eight and Bitcoin hit its lowest in nearly seven weeks on Friday as investors assessed the impact of a possible U.S. capital gains tax hike.

The STOXX 600 index gained 0.16% as most regional bourses were mixed

Alibaba shares in Hong Kong finished 0.43% higher on Tuesday after regulators ordered the e-commerce giant’s financial technology affiliate Ant Group to revamp its business.

Deliveroo shares have plummeted on its stock market debut after a number of major UK investors expressed concerns about its gig economy worker model.

Stocks edged up on Wednesday as investors continue to gauge the Philippine government’s response to the country’s rising coronavirus cases.

U.S. stock index futures fluctuated in early morning trading on Wednesday after the Dow ended at a record high a day before.

The FTSE 100 was set to rise again today after yesterday’s strong session prompted by positive news on vaccine rollouts in the UK and US and the "Reddit effect" on hedge funds faded.

European and Asian markets made gains on Tuesday, with a Wall Street rally lifting sentiment worldwide.

Traders have been warned they could be guilty of market abuse amid a trading frenzy which has pitted ordinary investors against Wall Street.