A steadier performance for oil prices and a doubling in annual profits at the world's biggest silver miner boosted confidence in London today.

Mining stocks held the FTSE 100 Index above the 6000 barrier today as copper prices hit a record high.

A strong show from banking stocks offset disappointing trading updates and led the London market higher today.

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.

Supermarket Tesco rung up share gains today as the wider FTSE 100 Index also powered ahead thanks to commodity stock advances.

A two-day rally on the London market came to an end today as traders waited for key economic data from the US.

Scottish & Southern Energy's plans to raise gas bills by 9.4% fuelled gains among blue chip utility stocks today.

London’s blue chip share index dropped into the red today as investor nerves built ahead of key UK economic news.

The FTSE 100 Index remained near its opening mark today as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of key economic developments later in the week.

The FTSE 100 Index ended a buoyant week with its fourth winning session in a row today as mining stocks continued their recent push higher.

Chancellor Alistair Darling’s pre-election Budget did little for the London market today despite slightly better news on the public finances.

Standard Life bucked a slide for the FTSE 100 Index today after cheering investors with its latest sales figures.

Standard Life shares jumped more than 3% today after the insurer's sales figures for the final quarter of 2009 outstripped expectations on London's trading floors.

UK banking stocks slipped into the red today as the full level of public sector support for the financial sector was revealed.

London's stock market recovery continued apace today as a 1.6% gain took the FTSE 100 Index to a new 14-month high.

The London market fell back below the 5200 mark today amid falls for retailers and concerns over US earnings reports.

Leisure group Whitbread gained ground after resilient results on a flat day for the wider London market.

Miners led the FTSE 100 Index higher today as traders awaited crucial US jobless figures.

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.

Takeover rumours in the property sector kept the FTSE 100 Index in positive territory today as commodity stocks also gave the top tier a boost.

The British taxpayer was sitting on an estimated £1.2bn (1.4bn) paper profit on its stake in Royal Bank of Scotland today as the rally in the financial sector continued apace.

Further gains by banks and a strong session for corporate results ensured the London market maintained its upward momentum today.

Shares in part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group raced 11% ahead today after the bank said the worst of its HBOS bad debts were behind it.

A £4bn (€4.72bn) loss caused by toxic loans at acquisition HBOS failed to prevent shares in Lloyds Banking Group from surging by more than 10% today.

The London market tumbled to its lowest close for more than two months today as investors’ faith in a fast-paced recovery wavered.

Weak commodity stocks caused the FTSE 100 Index to slip below the 4,200 barrier for the first time since late April today.

British housebuilders stormed ahead today after Taylor Wimpey cheered sentiment with an upbeat assessment of the UK property market.

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell suffered a dramatic shareholder revolt today amid fury over its recent pay awards.

The FTSE 100 Index was mired in the red today as investors showed nerves ahead of tomorrow's UK budget and banking stocks continued their slide.

The London market held firm today despite sharp falls on Wall Street amid grim US housing and employment news.

Positive comments from US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke put the FTSE 100 Index on the front foot today.

The FTSE 100 Index suffered a sharp reversal of fortunes today as heavy falls in the US saw the London market undo early gains to lose almost 1%.

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.

Hopes for a hefty 1% cut in interest rates kept the FTSE 100 Index in positive territory ahead of the monthly decision from the Bank of England today.

Economic gloom and a huge jobs cull from banking giant Citigroup cast a pall over the London market today.

An emergency 0.5% rate cut on top of the Government’s £50bn (€63bn) banking bail-out failed to stop the FTSE 100 Index from sliding more than 5% during a volatile session today.

Travel companies including Thomas Cook and British Airways were flying high today as oil prices dived to a four-month low.

Taylor Wimpey shares declined 6% today after the UK’s biggest housebuilder failed to end uncertainty about its financial position.

The London market was on the back foot today as falling commodity prices put pressure on blue-chip stocks.

Housebuilder Bellway today said profit margins were being hit as it slashed property prices by an average £10,000 (€12,542) to help cash-strapped homebuyers.

Housebuilding shares were the stand out performers today as the London market made strong gains amid further falls in oil prices.

A strong end to the week in New York ensured the FTSE 100 Index established a foothold above the 5500 barrier today.

The FTSE 100 Index dived back towards bear market territory today as the prospect of more economic woes caused misery for traders.

London’s leading share index fell nearly 2% into the red today after a flurry of bad retail news and deepening gloom for housebuilders frayed nerves.