Smartphone chip designer ARM Holdings is to announce that it is being bought by Japan's SoftBank for more than £23bn, according to reports.

The London market edged back into positive territory as a rise in the price of oil eased the pressure on top-flight stocks.

The Ftse struggled to make headway yesterday as the falling price of crude dragged on stocks after a key meeting of oil producers ended in stalemate.

The London market ended the week in positive territory after growing hopes that last-ditch reform proposals by Greece will lead to a bailout deal with its creditors.

The London market ended lower yesterday with traders concerned that Greece’s debt talks will see it default next week unless a deal is agreed.

Intel agreed to buy Altera for $16.7bn (€15.31bn) to defend its presence in data centres, forging a deal that will add to a record year for industry consolidation.

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

The FTSE 100 Index ended a nine-day winning streak that had propelled it to a five-month high as investors sought to lock in profits.

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.

Better-than-expected profits from blue chip heavyweight BP helped the London market bounce back after yesterday’s eurozone worries.

Marks & Spencer was one of the biggest risers on London’s leading shares index today as improved recent trading offered hope of a turnaround.

Transport giant FirstGroup lost more than a fifth of its stock market value today after an embarrassing British government u-turn dealt a blow to its hopes of running the West Coast franchise.

Fears that the European Central Bank will fail to prescribe the medicine needed for the ailing eurozone triggered big losses on London's leading shares index today.

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

Strong corporate earnings figures in the US boosted markets today but the UK's slide back into recession left London's leading shares index with only lacklustre gains.

London’s leading shares index finished the week on a high after bullish comments from analysts helped lift some of the gloom over the banking sector.

World markets wallowed in the red today as investor confidence was hit by fears over slowing growth in Asian powerhouse China.

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.

Banking stocks led strong gains on the London market today as optimism surrounding the global economic outlook strengthened.

Fresh fears that Greece and Portugal will sink under the weight of their debts saw London's leading shares index fall further from a six-month high today.

A better-than-expected US employment report distracted traders from eurozone woes and boosted markets on both side of the Atlantic.

French banking stocks drove another sell-off on world markets today amid renewed fears that Greece would default on its debts.

London’s leading index closed higher for a third day running as investors shrugged off fears of a slowdown in the euro region.

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

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

The London market closed lower today as improved US jobs data failed to offset fears over the wider economy.

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 slipped below the 6,000 mark today after disappointing US jobs data sparked fears over the strength of the recovery in the world's biggest economy.

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.

World markets saw a turnaround in fortunes today after better-than-expected jobs data from the United States calmed nerves about the global economy.

The London market continued its grim week today after worse than expected results from Lloyds Banking Group sparked losses for financial stocks.

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

The FTSE 100 Index bounced back from six straight sessions in the red today as world markets regained their poise.

Intense fighting in Libya remained top of investors minds' today as stocks fell into the red once more on rising oil prices.

World markets staged a bounce back today as oil prices steadied and offset disappointing economic data in the UK and US.

Barclays gave bank shares a boost today as it unveiled better-than-expected profits of £6.1bn (€7.3bn) in a strong start to the sector’s annual results season.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed to a fresh two-and-a-half-year high today after the banking sector shrugged off British government plans to increase the rate of its new levy.

Chancellor George Osborne’s move to increase the levy on banks to £2.5bn (€2.95bn) this year had little impact on leading shares in the sector today.

Concerns over China’s plans for fiscal tightening and further uncertainty surrounding the European debt crisis saw the FTSE 100 Index close in the red today.

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.

The FTSE 100 Index closed in the red for a second straight session today after a mixed report on the US jobs market.

Cautious trading ahead of key US jobs data left the FTSE 100 Index in the red today as investors moved to lock-in recent gains.