Mars drops Uncle Ben’s brand for promoting racial stereotype

Brand featuring elderly African-American man was adopted for rice in 1947

European shares inch up in languid pre-Christmas trade

Healthcare, oil and gas sectors lead gains in otherwise quiet day as thoughts turn to 2020

Kudlow comments stoke US-China trade fears

Iseq treads water on thin trading volumes

Markets see-saw over Trump’s trade decision on China

Concession on Chinese investments leads to Wall Street gains which were later reversed

Shares fall as trade war concerns depress confidence

In Europe financials contributed the most to losses with banking sector down 0.9 per cent

Aryzta appoints James Leighton as non-executive director

Baked goods company says appointment is part of ‘ongoing board refreshment’

European stocks drift lower as end-of-year rally fizzles out

Miners and technology shares fall most, while travel and energy shares rise in final week

Investors dare to hope over Greek deal

US stocks fall from near record levels, with eight of the 10 main S&P 500 sectors down

Positive mood after news from Fed

CRH helps the advance in Dublin as market goes along with upward trend

ConAgra raises long-term outlook on greater deal savings