European shares slipped from near-record highs after the US airstrike in Iraq that killed a top Iranian commander increased tensions in the Middle East

Shares in Reckitt Benckiser rose after the consumer goods group posted higher-than-expected sales growth, helped by improvements in both its health and home and hygiene businesses.

The second breakthrough in just over a week in the Brexit talks process pushed sterling higher and weighed on shares in London that rely on a weak British currency.

A surge in sterling as EU and UK negotiators reached a breakthrough in the Brexit talks could be shortlived, analysts have warned, as many political obstacles to closing the deal lie ahead.

Sterling stumbled yesterday as UK transport minister Jo Johnson resigned, saying he wants a new Brexit referendum, and the DUP clashed with prime minister Theresa May over potential plans for the Border.

Sterling surged over 1% against the euro and the dollar, as currency traders “giddily” bought the currency on confidence over a Brexit deal and growing bets the Bank of England would hike interest rates at a faster pace.

A long-feared rout of sky-high company valuations continued around the world, with Asian, European and US stock markets badly hit.

Ryanair shares jumped more than 5% despite the airline warning that earnings in its financial year could fall by at least 7%.

A ruling by a UK court that insists the British parliament approve the Brexit vote will unlikely delay the final divorce proceedings with the EU, Ireland’s leading independent expert on Brexit has said.

Mining and banking stocks pulled the FTSE 100 Index into the red today despite strong gains for microchip designer ARM and Marks & Spencer.

Fears that Ireland is heading for a Greek-style bailout swept through the UK banking sector today amid mounting worries about their exposure.

BP shares rose by 8% today despite the oil giant’s announcement that it will axe dividend payments for the first time since the Second World War.

The FTSE 100 Index relapsed into the red today as it gave back Tuesday's gains on persistent fears over the Greek debt crisis.

News of a shock fraud charge lodged against US investment bank Goldman Sachs sent London’s FTSE 100 Index plunging into the red today.

Shares in Argos owner Home Retail Group took off today amid speculation of a potential bid from supermarket chain Asda.

London’s leading share index fell into the red today despite figures confirming a stronger-than-expected economic recovery in the final quarter of 2009.

The London market slipped into the red today as investors absorbed details of European plans to provide debt-laden Greece with a financial safety net.

London’s FTSE 100 Index dipped lower today as banks and energy firms weighed on the market.

London’s blue chip share index soared through the key 5500 barrier for the first time in 16 months today as investors started the new year in a buoyant mood.

The FTSE 100 Index leapt 1.6% today as an upbeat mood and strong start on Wall Street lent strength to the market.

A LONDON-based spread betting company is suing Limerick businessman Pat Mulcair for €1.8 million, which was allegedly overpaid to him by mistake last June but has not been returned.

Stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic were braced for more turmoil today in the wake of the Lehman Brothers collapse.

THE London stock market had its busiest day ever after bomb blasts rocked London last Thursday, it emerged yesterday.

The FTSE 100 Index plunged more than 200 points early today as traders reacted to the carnage caused in the heart of London.

The pound rose to its highest level against the US dollar in more than 12 years today, amid growing signs that the UK economy was strengthening.

Stock markets rallied across Europe and Asia, oil prices surged and the US dollar was modestly higher today as George Bush crept closer to re-election in the US.

The FTSE 100 Index was today on course for its highest finish in more than two years after strong gains by mining stocks.

London traders are hoping the market will bounce back today after more than £17bn (€25.6bn) was wiped off the value of London shares as fears of an economic slowdown in the US gripped investors.

The London stock market took a battering today as jitters over higher interest rates and oil prices took their toll.

The bomb blasts in Istanbul prompted a sharp sell-off in shares in London today as traders feared a renewed bout of terrorist activity.

London’s leading shares were left feeling the effects of Asian flu today as they followed the lead of Far East markets into negative territory.

Investors were hoping for another good day today after the FTSE 100 Index hauled itself out of the doldrums yesterday to produce the market’s biggest rise in percentage terms since October 1987.

Investors were today hoping for a shares recovery after £40bn (€59bn) was wiped off the value of London’s FTSE 100 Index.

London shares edged lower today as the mood continued to be hit by war fears and economic worries.

The City was today hoping that the London stock market would continue its fightback.

The FTSE 100 Index continued to show some of its new found resilience today after clawing back from a dramatic 98.5 point fall.

The battered London stock market was in the doldrums again today as a renewed wave of selling gripped traders.

THERE was a surreal calm in the markets yesterday as investors found themselves in the eye of the storm after recent sharp falls and waiting for the impact of President Bush’s State of the Union address.

A LATE rally saw the FTSE 100 Index shake off its record-breaking losing streak and close up for the first time in 12 sessions today.

A late rally saw the FTSE 100 Index shake off its record-breaking losing streak and close up for the first time in 12 sessions.

Investors heaved a sigh of relief today as the London market broke its losing streak to rise back above the 3,500 mark.

Banking and oil stocks conspired to pull the London market lower today, dragging the FTSE 100 Index to fresh three-month lows.

The London market hovered around its opening level today as gains from banking stocks were offset by sharp falls among retailers.

The London market had a subdued start to the New Year today and hovered around its opening mark as traders eased back into work.

The FTSE 100 Index is up 25.9 points at 3855.3 by mid-morning.

London shares eased today despite hopes of modest gains on Wall Street later this afternoon.

Drugs giants GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca weighed on the London market today in an otherwise subdued start to the week in the City.

The London market fell back today as investors took profits after a run of gains.

Heavyweight financial and telecom stocks led the forward push today as the London market raced ahead.

A subdued session on the London market came to a close today with blue-chip shares easing into the red.