The continued political stalemate in Greece triggered more heavy falls for world markets today as party leaders failed to make progress forming a coalition government.

Upbeat retail sales figures in the US outweighed concerns over Spain’s creaking finances today as world markets continued to make solid gains.

An upbeat note from Goldman Sachs boosted the banking sector today and helped limit losses for London’s leading shares index.

Greece's failure to reach a concrete deal with creditors to avoid a default depressed world markets today, with banks among the biggest losers.

The ongoing eurozone debt crisis continued to spook investors today with the FTSE 100 Index starting the new quarter on the backfoot.

BSkyB’s on-off takeover saga and renewed fears over the spread of Europe’s debt crisis led to a dramatic session in the City today.

The London market struggled to make gains today despite a rally among banking stocks, as the eurozone debt crisis continued to worry investors.

Banking shares kept the London market aloft today following bullish comment on the sector from investment brokers.

The London market reversed earlier gains to closed lower today as worries over surging oil prices and the economic crisis in Greece rattled investors.

Libya’s ongoing crisis sent the London market into the red today as oil prices continued to surge.

Travel firms slumped into the red today as fears over political unrest in Egypt hit blue chip stocks.

Uncertainty over the progress of Ireland's debt rescue and China's efforts to control inflation combined to unsettle world markets today.

The London market bounced back from earlier losses today triggered by concerns surrounding the sovereign debt crisis in Ireland.

The FTSE 100 Index surged 1.4% today as investors were cheered by decent economic news and corporate results from across the Atlantic.

TUI Travel led London’s blue chip share index into the red today as stocks suffered in cautious trading ahead of key forecasts from UK and US central banks.

Another UK power firm was poised for foreign ownership today after International Power agreed a merger with France’s GDF Suez.

A positive start to trading on Wall Street safeguarded gains on the London market today as investors cheered signs of a revival in deal activity.

Signs of a revival in major deal activity encouraged investors today after a difficult few sessions for world markets.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a much-needed rally today as European markets reversed some of their recent punishing declines.

The FTSE 100 Index lost ground today in a lacklustre end to the trading week but held firm above the 5700 mark breached in the previous session.

Gains in the mining sector helped the London market pull out of its losing streak today but economic worries continued to shake confidence in financial stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index was hit by a second late sell-off to fall to its lowest level of the year today amid fears over the latest bank crackdown from President Obama.

Blue-chips Cadbury and International Power saw contrasting fortunes today with both firms under the takeover spotlight.

London's FTSE 100 Index slid into the red today as jitters over the US economy overshadowed bumper profits at JP Morgan Chase.

London's blue chip share index hit a new 13-month high today on the back of a bumper start to the US bank reporting season and mounting hopes of economic recovery.

The London market was dragged into the red today as financial stocks foundered on concerns over the banking sector.

The London market steadied today after the sell-off seen in the previous session on doubts over the strength of a global economic recovery.

The FTSE 100 Index edged lower today as banking stocks bore the brunt of a cautious note on the sector from analysts at Credit Suisse.

Barclays led another day of gains for the banking sector today as shares raced ahead after it confirmed it was unlikely to need to raise more cash to bolster its finances.

Upbeat economic news from the US failed to drag London’s FTSE 100 Index out of the red today.

The beleaguered London market took another hammering today as a late sell-off left the FTSE 100 Index down another 3% at a fresh six-year low.

Miners pushed the FTSE 100 Index into reverse today as sentiment remained poor on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Bank of England’s widely anticipated cut in interest rates failed to breathe life into the FTSE 100 Index today as it came under further pressure.

London’s leading share index remained in the red today despite a late session boost from Wall Street.

The London market took a late dive into the red today as opening nerves on Wall Street undermined blue-chip stocks.

London's blue chip share index rallied more than 2% ahead today, with banks leading the charge after UK savers saw the deposit guarantee upped to £50,000 (€64,218).

The FTSE 100 Index endured a second day of losses after amid continued doubts over the US Government’s bank bail-out plans today.

The London market finished the week with a flourish today after gloomy economic data fuelled hopes for an early cut in interest rates.

The London market failed to hold on to initial gains today, despite a boost from blue-chip banks in the wake of interim results from Barclays.

Barclays shares lifted almost 5% today after results showing a 33% drop in half-year profits came in at the top end of expectations.

Blue chip stocks ended the session in negative territory today as concerns over the US economy added to HSBC’s profits gloom.

London’s leading share index fell nearly 2% into the red today after a flurry of bad retail news and deepening gloom for housebuilders frayed nerves.

The FTSE 100 Index fell back below the 6000 mark today as Wall Street jitters put the London market on the back foot.

Further fears over the US economy sent the London market tumbling below the key 6000 barrier today.

The FTSE 100 Index slipped back below the 5900 barrier today as renewed credit crunch concerns put paid to the recent rally.

News of a cash crisis at US investment bank Bear Stearns sent the FTSE 100 Index into reverse today in a dramatic end to the trading week.

The market rally following efforts by central banks to tackle the credit crunch proved short-lived today as the FTSE 100 Index fell 2%.

US gloom and concerns over soaring oil prices sent the FTSE 100 Index plunging into the red today.

British Airways led the London market lower today amid concerns over soaring oil prices.

One of the most volatile weeks in the London market’s recent history ended today with the FTSE 100 Index barely changed on its starting point.