Vodafone steadied the FTSE 100 Index after investors gave the thumbs-up to the mobile phone group’s deal to bolster its presence in India.

A strong gain at steel group Corus could not save the FTSE 100 Index from falling into negative territory during a lacklustre session for the London market today.

An about-turn for oil prices caused the FTSE 100 Index to give up impressive gains from earlier in the session today.

DSG International led the London market into the red today after a disappointing Christmas trading update sent its shares tumbling 12%.

A takeover bid for Scottish Power and the dramatic appointment of a new boss at ITV failed to lift the London market today as a weakening US dollar continued to take its toll.

The London market finished the week in negative territory today as weakness for the US dollar met head on with a cautious report on the banking sector.

The FTSE 100 Index closed above the 6200 mark today for the first time since February 2001.

British Energy shares staged a recovery today as the London market bounced back after its first negative session in seven trading days.

The FTSE 100 Index finished the week at its highest level for more than five years today as it followed in the wake of big stock market gains around the world.

Burberry handbags and Carphone Warehouse’s deal with AOL provided sparkle to an otherwise lacklustre market today which struggled to hold on to gains made at the start of the week.

Bid talk surrounding fund-management firms and a strong performance from Vodafone helped the FTSE 100 Index move further from the 6,000 barrier today.

The London market closed in the red today after BP took a major hit following its decision to shut production at a key Alaskan oil field.

London’s leading shares moved forward for a third successive session today led by Northern Rock and Reuters who both reported bullish figures.

Investors received a shot in the arm today after the FTSE 100 Index followed the lead of US markets to rise by more than 100 points.

Bid interest in British Gas owner Centrica reared up again today as investors took a punt on the possibility of a takeover move from Russia’s Gazprom.

A strong performance from oil stocks and a flurry of takeover activity buoyed the London market today which finished a steady week in the black.

A recovery in mining stocks helped lift share prices in London into the black today after a mixed session for traders.

A flurry of takeover speculation failed to keep the London market out of the red as investors continued to fret over higher interest rates today.

The FTSE 100 Index fell back below the 5700 mark today despite excitement over strong figures from Severn Trent and the proposed sale of airports operator BAA.

More than £34bn was wiped off the value of the UK’s leading companies today as the FTSE 100 Index plunged 2.4% lower.

The London market was under renewed pressure today as fears over higher interest rates in the United States offset strong gains from BAA and Vodafone.

The FTSE 100 Index ended virtually where it started today in a rollercoaster session that saw traders struggle to make sense of recent batterings.

City traders celebrated a new milestone today when the FTSE 250 Index broke through the 10,000 barrier on a day when blue-chip stocks were also in hot demand.

The FTSE 100 Index closed in negative territory today after profit updates from BP and Tesco failed to excite and investors cashed in on mining stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index made steady gains today as traders in London started the week in buoyant mood.

The latest round of takeover interest in London failed to inspire the market today as it slipped just off yesterday’s recent high.

Heavy losses on Wall Street weighed on the London market this afternoon as it gave up gains made earlier in the session.

Disappointment at BP’s annual profits haul of more than £11 billion left the London market deep in the red today.

London’s leading shares lost sight of gains notched up in a New Year rally today as miners and utilities fell out of favour.

The London market struggled for direction today as it tried to build on yesterday’s four-and-a-half-year high following a strong rally in the New Year.

The London market had the 5600 threshold firmly in its sights tonight after hopes of an early cut in interest rates ensured a fourth positive session in a row.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the week within touching distance of a new four-year high today as retail stocks lifted spirits.

The FTSE 100 Index powered to a new four-year high today as only four blue chip stocks fell into the red.

A cautious opening to trading on Wall Street – rather than the Chancellor’s gloomy economic forecasts – put the brakes on the London market today.

Energy stocks led the FTSE 100 Index into the red today as hopes of another buoyant session in London were shattered by falling oil prices.

London’s leading shares ended the week in the red today as updates from heavyweight firms BSkyB and British Airways disappointed investors.

The FTSE 100 Index kicked on this morning despite a negative response in the market to results from British Airways and BSkyB.

A bumper crop of corporate results sent the FTSE 100 Index soaring above the key 5400 mark today.

The biggest takeover of a UK company for five years and a rush of other bid activity drove the FTSE 100 Index beyond the 5300 barrier today.

Mining giant Anglo American led the London market higher today after promising to return $1bn (€829m) to investors next year.

The FTSE 100 Index headed back towards the 5400 mark today as oil and drugs stocks countered losses elsewhere on the market.

Losses by oil heavyweights and a spate of profit-taking brought the recent rally by the London market to an end today.

The FTSE 100 Index notched its third straight session of losses today as oil heavyweights failed to benefit from the latest rise in crude prices.

A wave of profit taking pushed the London market into negative territory today and away from another three-year high.