Europe’s shares climbed the most in a month, with banks posting their biggest surge since October 2011, on optimism that China’s economy is stabilising at last.

European stocks posted their biggest two-day gain since October 2011 on increased investor confidence that central banks will act to support markets.

Top flight shares struggled for direction yesterday, even after British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) upgraded its targets and announced a new boss at the UK carrier.

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.

Investors stuck to the sidelines today as evidence of a strengthening US job markets fuelled expectations that policymakers will cool stimulus efforts.

Fracking set off a modern day land rush across the US, as “land men” acting on behalf of exploration and production firms scrambled to secure rights to drill and fracture underground formations for oil and gas.

Canada’s government has approved China’s biggest overseas energy acquisition, a €11.7bn takeover by state-owned CNOOC of oil and gas producer Nexen.

Multibillion-pound plans for the creation of a new natural resources powerhouse were revived today under a last-ditch deal.

Calling an end to the commodity boom is problematic because the definition of what constitutes the boom depends on who you are.

Australia’s resources minister has declared the end of the country’s mining boom, after the world’s biggest miner BHP Billiton shelved two expansion plans worth $40bn (€31.7bn).

Asian stock markets fell this morning as gloomy economic reports from the world’s two biggest economies heightened fears of a sharper global downturn.

Assurances that world powers want debt-laden Greece to remain in the euro helped support world stock markets today after sharp losses over the past week.

World stocks dived today after a failure by Greece’s political leaders to form a coalition government set the stage for new elections next month, keeping Europe’s debt crisis centre stage.

Supermarket giant Tesco failed to win over investors with its £1bn plan to revive its UK arm today as the grocer followed world markets into the red.

Asian stock markets fell today, dragged down by reports of a manufacturing slowdown in China and a deepening economic malaise in Europe.

Sainsbury’s topped London’s leading shares index after revealing better-than-expected sales on an otherwise lacklustre day for the market.

Asian stock markets were mostly lower today as data suggesting a slowdown in China raised concerns that its economy might not have the momentum needed to help sustain a global recovery.

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 lost its momentum today as a stronger dollar hit the heavily-weighted resources sector and dragged the market into the red.

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.

World stock markets were mixed today, as encouraging signs about the US economy were tempered by investors’ fears that time was running out for Greece to fix its debt crisis.

Investors started 2012 with a burst of optimism today as upbeat manufacturing data from all corners of the world triggered a rally on London’s top shares index.

Asian stock markets fell today as criticism by ratings agencies sparked scepticism about a historic European Union plan to fix a massive debt crisis by binding member economies closer together.

London’s leading shares index fell into the red today after a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that time was running out to tackle threats to the economic recovery.

Asian stock markets fell sharply today amid fresh anxiety over Europe’s debt problems and a potential default by Greece which would wreak havoc on the global economy.

Asian stock markets rose today as data showed the economy of earthquake-battered Japan shrank less than expected.

The London market made scant progress today as an IMF endorsement of the UK government’s deficit-busting plans was overshadowed by wider fears over the global recovery.

A good start to the week faded today as markets turned down again after another batch of US economic figures came in below expectations.

A strong start to the week for global markets showed signs of petering out today as attention switched to economic recovery prospects.

GLENCORE’S bid to become the biggest company on the London Stock Exchange reveals where power and profits lie in food production.

The FTSE 100 Index closed in the red today as a raft of disappointing earnings and falls among miners dragged the market lower.

British banking stocks gained today after a key report shied away from recommending a full-blown split of their retail and investment arms.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed away from the 6000 barrier today as miners surged following a commodities rally that saw the price of oil hit fresh highs.

The London market was kept afloat by mining giants today after the owner of Currys and PC World issued a profits warning triggering declines among retailers.

A profits warning from Currys and PC World parent Dixons Retail triggered declines for retailers today, but the news failed to drag the wider market down.

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

Forecast-beating results from Prudential and a potential deal involving Rolls-Royce shielded the FTSE 100 Index from further falls in mining stocks today.

Libya’s ongoing crisis sent the London market into the red today as oil prices continued to surge.

London's FTSE 100 Index slipped into the red today on concerns over global political unrest and moves to curb inflation in China.

The Bank of England’s downgrading of the UK’s growth forecast could not stop the FTSE 100 Index from making gains today.

AUSTRALIA’S devastating floods could remove over 5% of steelmaking coal from world markets this year and lift prices by a third or more, analysts estimated yesterday, as damage and disruption to coal infrastructure continue to spread.