A positive start to US corporate earnings season helped boost Asian stock markets today.

Asian stock markets rose today after the fourth-quarter earnings season got off to a positive start in the US with aluminium giant Alcoa forecasting higher demand for 2013.

European markets were mixed yesterday as bourses settled down and assimilated the strong worldwide performance so far this year.

Asian stock markets headed lower today as investors turned cautious before US earnings season kicks off this week.

Investors’ “fiscal cliff” worries are likely to give way to more fundamental concerns, like earnings, as fourth-quarter reports get under way next week.

Asian stock markets fell today after Spain, the fourth-largest euro economy, was slapped with a credit downgrade and the US earnings season opened with a whimper.

Liberal democracy faces a new and decisive challenge — figuring out how to deal with the “post-Communist oligarchies” of Russia and China.

World markets today recouped some of the losses they suffered in yesterday’s rout, with banks and mining stocks leading the recovery.

A drop in oil prices and strong bond auctions in Europe drove US stocks to a slightly higher close today.

THE ISEQ index gained 46.46 points yesterday to close at 2,978.97, in line with other European and world indices.

A downward revision of US economic growth in the third quarter has sent stocks lower. Higher borrowing costs for Spain also renewed worries about Europe’s debt crisis.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 247.49 points, or 2.1%, to close at 11,397.

IRISH bond yields shot back up yesterday, to their highest level in more than three months — another knock-on effect of investor uncertainty over a solution to the eurozone debt crisis being found.

THE ISEQ fell a further 26 points to close at 2,904.73yesterday.

World markets suffered heavy declines today amid fresh fears over Japan's ongoing nuclear crisis and a lacklustre start to the US earnings season.

The FTSE 100 Index bounced back past the 6000 mark today, but Marks & Spencer shares slumped into the red despite news of a Christmas sales hike.

Stocks fell on Wall Street for a fourth day sparked by concerns over a slowdown in China and talks about a bailout for Irish banks.

US stocks tonight closed sharply higher after investors got a shot of confidence from the start of the second-quarter earnings season.

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.

Further signs of progress on BP’s attempts to plug the oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico drove a fresh surge in the company’s shares today.

Heavyweight miners dragged the FTSE 100 Index lower today despite another bright session for many top-flight retailers.

The FTSE 100 Index gained more ground today as mining stocks remained firmly in demand with investors.

The first growth in the US service industry in a year and an upgrade of big banks boosted Wall Street after a two-week slide.

Wall Street shares were higher today after comments from Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke that the recession was probably over.

The FTSE 100 Index finished ahead for the first time this week as sentiment was given a tentative boost by more upbeat corporate and economic news today.

The FTSE 100 Index lost more ground today in a drifting session as lingering concerns over US earnings weighed on investors.

The FTSE 100 Index followed global markets lower today as commodity stocks came under pressure.

Wall Street's growing angst about company earnings gave stocks a mixed finish today, with the Dow Jones industrials suffering their fifth straight loss.

Wall Street extended last week’s slide today as investors worried that the quarterly results companies begin releasing this week will signal the economy is in worse shape than feared.

A warning from tech giant Intel about poor business conditions and more evidence of rising unemployment left US stocks with their biggest losses in a month today.

Alcoa, the world’s third-largest aluminium maker, is to axe 13,500 jobs – 13% of its workforce – and slash spending and output to cope with the global economic slowdown.

Wall Street had another astounding advance today, with the Dow Jones industrials soaring nearly 900 points in their second-largest point gain ever as late-day bargain hunters stormed into the market.

US stocks finished another volatile session mixed today, as gains in the energy, utilities and materials sectors offset some of Wall Street’s angst over the fate of Lehman Brothers.

Wall Street capped a shortened trading week with a mixed finish today after some uneven economic data: news of a contraction in the US’ services sector and a tame reading on employment.

Wall Street closed a quiet session with a moderate advance today, with energy and other commodities companies leading the market as oil prices extended their record-breaking run.

US stocks have ended a quiet session with a loss after corporate news disappointed investors and the Federal Reserve voiced concerns about the slumping economy.

Wall Street started the week with a mixed performance today, with many investors moving to the sidelines as they wait for quarterly profit reports.

The FTSE 100 Index edged into positive territory today after a nervous session for London's leading shares.

Mining giant BHP Billiton formally launched a hostile bid for rival Rio Tinto today in a deal worth around $147.4bn (€100.7bn).

Soaring mining stocks took the FTSE 100 Index back above the 6,000 mark today as London’s shares gained more than 2%.

Spectacular gains for mining companies ensured London’s FTSE 100 Index started the new month on the front foot today.

Wall Street finished a back-and-forth session sharply higher today as investors sought bargains while also contending with concerns about the strength of the economy and upcoming corporate results.

Wall Street plunged in another erratic session today as investors worried that the slumping US economy may not only cripple mortgage lenders like Countrywide Financial, but also create problems for other companies like AT&T. The Dow Jones industrials fell nearly 240 points.

Wall Street ended an erratic session mixed today as investors grew more confident that the Federal Reserve would lower interest rates again to ward off recession and as they also wrestled with worries about the forthcoming earnings season.