The London market lost ground today after an emergency summit between the leaders of France and Germany failed to ease fears over the eurozone crisis.

Central bankers failed to soothe the nerves of investors today after key reports highlighted the global economy's fragile recovery prospects.

THE names of four international consortia bidding to win the lucrative multi- million euro contract to build an underground rail interconnector for Dublin have been announced.

The UK’s competition watchdog today fined 103 construction firms a total of £129.5m (€143m) after an investigation into illegal “bid-rigging”.

More dire figures on the state of the UK's public finances today failed to derail the FTSE 100 Index's winning run despite a subdued day of trading.

Shares in airline stocks flew higher today as the FTSE 100 Index chalked up its fifth winning session in a row.

The FTSE 100 Index surged to another year-high today as commodities were buoyed by recovery hopes on both sides of the Atlantic.

London’s blue chip share index powered on to a new 10-month high today as its 25-year record-breaking summer rally showed no sign of slowing.

The FTSE 100 Index built on its winning streak today as investors maintained the momentum that has seen the market reach a 10-month high.

The FTSE 100 Index was dragged back from a new 10-month high today as a steep fall on Wall Street put an end to London’s winning streak.

Stocks rebounded out of the red today on hopes that the worst of the recession may be over on both sides of the Atlantic.

Hopes from the Bank of England that the UK economy may be over the worst of its slump helped the FTSE 100 Index gain ground today.

The FTSE 100 Index clung to its opening mark today as progress was held back by poor corporate news flow and disappointing figures from the key services sector.

London shares were flat today after a disappointing survey from the services sector showed growth slowed in June.

Barclays led another day of gains for the banking sector today as shares raced ahead after it confirmed it was unlikely to need to raise more cash to bolster its finances.

Shares in Barclays and Lloyds Banking Group jumped by more than 7% today as sentiment in the sector continued to show signs of improvement.

The FTSE 100 Index tumbled 5% to a six-year low today after HSBC and insurance giant AIG sparked another crisis of confidence for world markets.

The FTSE 100 Index rallied in the last few minutes of trade today after the Bank of England reduced borrowing costs to 1% – the lowest in its history.

Barclays shares jumped 72% today after the bank took unprecedented steps to reassure investors that it remained well-funded and profitable.

HBOS and Lloyds TSB will merge to become Lloyds Banking Group on Monday in a move creating a new UK “superbank”.

Balfour Beatty bucked the economic gloom today by reporting a 25% rise in half-year profits and forecasting a strong finish to its financial year.

More than 100 construction firms were today accused of “bid-rigging” by competition watchdogs after one of the biggest ever investigations by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in the UK.

More than 100 construction firms in the UK were today accused of “bid-rigging” by competition watchdogs after one of the biggest ever investigations by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

London's leading share index surged ahead today after investors took cheer from news of lower-than-expected inflation data.

Plant hire group Ashtead today said major projects such as Crossrail and the Olympics underpinned its confidence in trading prospects in the UK.

The UK’s biggest construction firm, Balfour Beatty, was today looking forward to forecast-beating profits after strong trading across the group.

The London market experienced more turbulence today as the FTSE 100 Index dived more than 100 points into the red.

Around £1.2bn (€1.78bn) was wiped from BAE Systems shares today after the defence giant said it faced an anti-corruption probe by the US Department of Justice.

A private consortium in charge of upgrading London Underground stations and tracks today launched a formal bid to recover an estimated £1bn (€1.48bn) it believes it is owed for extra work carried out under its deal.

UK construction giant Balfour Beatty said today it was on track to make “further good progress” after strong performances in civil engineering, building and rail helped the firm beat profit expectations.

The London market enjoyed a bullish session today as record results from Royal Dutch Shell and bumper earnings figures from AstraZeneca and Rio Tinto pushed blue-chip stocks ahead.

Balfour Beatty today said it was on track to meet forecast earnings for 2006, after orders grew by 20%.

London’s leading shares spluttered to the end of the week today as jitters over UK interest rates met head-on with weak consumer sentiment figures from the US.

London’s leading shares powered to a new five-year high today as investors remained in bullish mood despite the drag of big mining stocks.

Shares in London struggled through a lacklustre session today as heavy losses by British Energy weighed on the market.

Investors turned up the heat on British Energy today after the nuclear power generator revealed output levels had fallen below hopes.

Construction group Balfour Beatty today said its order book had reached a record £8.8bn (€13bn) while trading in its key sectors remained positive.

Investors were in nervous mood today ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on US interest rates later this week.

A rush of dealmaking activity stirred investors during a steady session for the London market today.

The London market took a hammering today as a host of blue chip stocks went ex-dividend.

Progress by a string of utilities was not enough to cheer the rest of the London market today.

Marks & Spencer and a clutch of utility stocks were in positive territory today as the FTSE 100 Index enjoyed an upbeat start to the week.

The FTSE 100 Index fell below the landmark 5300 barrier today as it chalked up its fifth consecutive session of losses.

The FTSE 100 Index was in the red for the fifth consecutive session today after a warning from retail giant Wal-Mart that high oil prices were starting to hit consumer demand.