Sterling went on a roller-coaster yesterday falling back sharply as high hopes for a Brexit deal were dashed, while US and European shares surged following the US Senate weekend vote to approve president Donald Trump’s tax-cutting bill.

The pound lost steam but continued to hover near six-month highs as investors took an optimistic view of Prime Minister Theresa May's plans for a general election in June.

The London market was dragged into the red after a gloomy economic update from Britain’s construction industry dealt a punishing blow to housebuilders.

Chancellor George Osborne’s efforts to calm the markets over Brexit proved fruitless as more than £40bn (€48bn) was wiped off the value of Britain’s biggest companies.

The London market ended the session by posting four straight weeks of losses, despite edging up yesterday.

London’s Ftse 100 index was 2% higher yesterday after the unexpected Conservative election victory added over £40bn to market prices.

The FTSE 100 Index fell for the fourth session in a row in today as traders took little comfort from the latest eurozone recovery measures.

Markets showed signs of stabilising today after big losses yesterday in the wake of renewed fears about the health of the European banking sector.

Airline stocks endured a turbulent session today after a profits warning from German carrier Lufthansa shook investors in the sector.

Improved sentiment on Wall Street helped blue-chip shares shake off worries over Ukraine and wipe out early session losses.

Weaker-than-expected European economic data gave British investors a jolt today as the FTSE 100 Index slipped back from yesterday’s three-week high.

Global stock markets powered ahead today on renewed hopes America's money-printing presses will continue to roll.

Buoyant banks helped the FTSE 100 Index return to winning ways as shares in state-backed Lloyds Banking Group passed a key threshold today.

Sluggish economic data from the world’s biggest economy offset gains by buoyant banking stocks, sending the FTSE 100 Index into the red and continuing a turbulent performance by the top tier.

Further cracks emerged in the eurozone’s shrinking economy to drag European stock markets lower and ensure another day of losses for the FTSE 100 Index.

London's blue chip index failed to find direction today as investors sat tight ahead of news from the eurozone and economic data this week.

London's leading shares index closed in the red today after machinery firm Caterpillar and toys giant Hasbro offered more gloom from the US reporting season.

The rebound for London shares continued today after China’s first cut in interest rates in four years triggered a surge for mining shares.

Fears that Greece will crash out of the euro triggered a global sell-off that left London’s leading shares index at its lowest close of 2012.

A rise in Spain’s borrowing costs today fuelled fears about the eurozone debt crisis and triggered a sell-off on world markets.

An agreement to boost the eurozone bailout fund lifted London’s leading shares index today and helped it finish the first quarter of 2012 with gains of 3.5%.

BT shares rallied today after it made progress in tackling its pension scheme deficit, but fears about the global recovery continued to weigh on London’s leading shares index.

Further signs of recovery in the US failed to distract investors from gloomy manufacturing figures in China and the eurozone today as London’s leading shares index closed in the red.

Sainsbury’s topped London’s leading shares index after revealing better-than-expected sales on an otherwise lacklustre day for the market.

London's leading shares index ended the week on a high today as fresh evidence of growth in the United States boosted traders' confidence.

A drop in oil prices triggered by a joint US and UK move to release strategic reserves pulled energy stocks and the wider FTSE 100 Index into the red today.

London’s leading shares index lost its momentum today as a stronger dollar hit the heavily-weighted resources sector and dragged the market into the red.

Lloyds was the biggest faller on London’s leading shares index today after it suffered a £3.5bn (€4.12bn) loss and warned of further problems ahead.

More positive signs from the US failed to lift London’s leading shares index today as fears over the eurozone and a credit agency warning to banks rattled investors.

A lack of progress in talks between Greece and its creditors unsettled investors today as London's leading shares index failed to build on last week's gains.

London’s leading shares index failed to gain significant ground today after a raft of blue-chip results overshadowed optimism in the US and merger talks in the mining sector.

A weak start for London shares turned into a full-blown rout today as investors ditched risky stocks on more global growth fears.

The London market made nervous gains today as traders waited for the details of a eurozone rescue plan set to be hammered out a crunch meeting of politicians.

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

London's blue chip shares today made nervous gains in a volatile session as traders digested a possible three trillion euro plan to rescue the single currency.

The London market slumped 2% today as the increasing likelihood of a Greek debt default shook investor confidence.

Shares in London closed higher tonight despite falls on European markets because of continuing fears over the eurozone debt crisis.

Royal Bank of Scotland shares slumped 12% today as litigation fears, weak economic data and the eurozone debt crisis drained market confidence.

The London market continued its nervous rally today after sentiment was boosted by better-than-expected economic data from the US.

The London market made nervous gains today as hopes that the US would announce more stimulus measures were countered by more weak economic data.

Stock markets in Europe and the US have rebounded, led by shares in energy firms, on hopes that fighting in Libya may soon end.

Banking stocks suffered more heavy losses today as the latest wave of market turmoil wiped another 2.5% from the value of the FTSE 100 Index.

The London market clawed back its earlier losses today after better than expected data from the US calmed fears caused by disappointing German growth.

London’s blue chips recovered more ground as markets across Europe ended a volatile week on a rising note.

The London market fell 1.5% today as banking shares took a hammering amid fresh fears about the eurozone debt crisis.

Aggreko led the FTSE 100 Index further above the 6000 level today after it was lifted by a deal to supply power to the firm that ran the crippled Fukushima power plant.

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