British supermarket Morrisons has been saved at the last minute from being kicked out of London’s blue chip index after its first rise in sales for nearly 18 months sent shares surging.

Political gridlock in Washington left European markets in the red today amid disappointment over the lack of progress in resolving America's budget crisis.

Continuing talks over the US budget deficit sapped appetite for risk today as the FTSE 100 Index started the week on the back foot.

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.

Stock markets remained under pressure on both sides of the Atlantic today amid fears over the health of the global economy.

Increased optimism that central bankers will pull the trigger on further emergency support measures ensured a robust performance on the London market today.

More than £3bn (€3.75bn) was wiped off Barclays’ market value today as its rate-rigging scandal sent shockwaves throughout the banking sector.

Equity investors wishing to cash in on the London Olympics can take their pick from British hotels, advertisers or retailers — history suggests the FTSE 100 could shine in the following 12 months.

London’s leading index was broadly flat today as fears over Europe’s banks were offset by a strong consumer confidence survey on the other side of the Atlantic.

A late rally today helped London’s leading shares index recover from Tuesday’s rout despite mixed signs about the health of the world’s biggest economy.

World markets struggled to make progress today after another meeting on the eurozone debt crisis failed to ease traders' nerves.

A successful Spanish bond auction and strong German economic data eased fears over the eurozone crisis and drove world markets higher today.

The London market finished the week on a high today as most EU countries agreed to explore plans for a closer union to get to grips with the region’s debt crisis.

Investors shrugged off a gloomy autumn statement from Chancellor George Osborne today as optimism over a solution to the eurozone debt crisis pushed the London market higher.

London’s blue chip market broke through the 6,000 mark for the first time in more than a month today as its run of gains continued despite falls in the banking sector.

London’s blue chip index slumped to a three-month low today after being dogged by fresh fears that Greece would default on its debts.

The London market closed in the red today after disappointing jobs data in the US reignited fears over the strength of the global economic recovery.

Marks & Spencer was the FTSE 100 Index’s top faller today despite posting a 13% rise in annual profits as analysts fretted that its results could be “as good as it gets” for the retailer.

The FTSE 100 Index closed in the red today as a raft of disappointing earnings and falls among miners dragged the market lower.

The FTSE 100 Index fought back today despite a flurry of disappointing company updates and a lacklustre performance from the UK economy.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed away from the 6000 barrier today as miners surged following a commodities rally that saw the price of oil hit fresh highs.

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.

The London market held its nerve today despite a 6% slump for Tokyo’s Nikkei index in the aftermath of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

The rally on London’s FTSE 100 Index came to a halt today amid falls from heavyweight oil giant Royal Dutch Shell and concerns over escalating violence in Egypt.

President Barack Obama's State of the Union address buoyed the London market today as investors cheered moves to support growth in the world's biggest economy.

The London market roared ahead today on hopes for the world’s biggest economy after President Barack Obama promised to create jobs and support growth.

The FTSE 100 Index showed little appetite for finishing the year above 6,000 today, despite some better economic news from the United States.

Commodity and banking stocks briefly pushed the FTSE 100 Index past the 5900 mark today before it slipped back again.

A UK firm was today unveiled as the exclusive power supplier for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games after securing a £37m (€44m) contract.

The London market headed for highs not seen since mid-November today after a strong morning session was bolstered by President Barack Obama's plans to extend tax breaks in the US.

Royal Dutch Shell was among those making share gains on the FTSE 100 Index today in a buoyant session for commodity stocks.

Stronger commodity stocks and a results-day boost for Royal Dutch Shell helped lift the London market today.

BP led a fresh rally for the FTSE 100 Index today as higher oil prices and the potential resumption of dividend payments cheered investors.

The FTSE 100 Index soared past the 5600 level today as stock markets worldwide rallied ahead of Tuesday's key meeting on interest rates by the US Federal Reserve.

The FTSE 100 Index failed to make headway today as a surprise fall in retail sales weighed on sentiment.

The London market marched ahead today as new banking regulations and reassuring Chinese data whetted investors’ appetite for risk.

The FTSE 100 Index leapt ahead today after US employers shed fewer jobs than feared in August.

The FTSE 100 Index regained some ground today after positive retail figures at home and uplifting unemployment data in the US steadied investors' nerves.

The recent slump in the FTSE 100 Index continued today as persistent worries over the health of the US and Japanese economies weighed on confidence.

Takeover activity helped lift the London market higher today after blue-chip Old Mutual said it had entered into exclusive talks with HSBC to sell South African bank Nedbank.

Blue chip banks roared higher today on news that Basel 3 regulatory reforms were set to be watered down.

Stocks soared on both sides of the Atlantic today in a welcome rally spurred on by a strong start to the second-quarter earnings season.

The FTSE 100 Index advanced almost 2% today as the International Monetary Fund’s upgrade of global growth prospects boosted sentiment.

The FTSE 100 Index edged lower in an sluggish session today despite rumours over funding plans from beleaguered oil giant BP sparking some interest.

Investors endured another see-saw session today as heavyweight BP took more punishment and worries over a bank tax hit financial stocks.

The London market narrowly held on to Wednesday's 21-month high today despite falls for banks and miners as investors looked to take profits.

The FTSE 100 Index powered to gains of more than 1% today despite investors dumping shares in Prudential for the second session in a row.

The FTSE 100 Index held firm in positive territory today, but it was a tough session for blue chip insurers Prudential and Admiral.

The FTSE 100 Index climbed to its highest level in more than a month today despite heavy falls for Prudential and HSBC.

Prudential’s £23.5bn (€26bn) swoop for the Asian arm of stricken US insurer AIG sent shares in the firm slumping 12% today.