European shares touched a record high after Phil Hogan, the EU trade commissioner, struck a positive tone on talks with Washington, soothing some concerns over a possible escalation in trade tensions between the cross-Atlantic allies.

The major US stock indexes closed mostly lower today after a midday gain faded by late afternoon.

Rising retailers pushed US stock indexes further into record territory today, as the market's fabulous start to 2018 carried through its second week.

Wall Street capped a week of milestones today with a rally that pushed the major stock indexes to all-time highs for the second day in a row.