The rebound for London shares continued today after China’s first cut in interest rates in four years triggered a surge for mining shares.

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

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.

Housebuilder Bovis Homes today said annual profits were expected to beat forecasts after sales and selling prices rose in 2010.

Takeover talk buoyed medical devices firm Smith & Nephew today, but the wider market remained in the red as Wall Street opened with sharp losses.

Medical devices firm Smith & Nephew soared to the top of the FTSE 100 Index today after reports of a takeover approach from US rival Johnson & Johnson.

Housebuilder Bovis Homes today said it expects to sell a greater number of new homes in 2011 off the back of an expansion in sales outlets.

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.

World markets were dragged lower today after cautious comments from the US Federal Reserve curbed enthusiasm for riskier stocks.

A late rally rescued a lacklustre session for investors today as financial markets gave a lukewarm response to the new coalition government.

The FTSE 100 Index suffered an uncertain session today as traders digested mixed messages on the economic recovery.

Part-nationalised British banks and miners took the top spots on the London market today as the index gained - while attention remained fixed on the Greek bailout.

Shares in part-nationalised banks made further strides today as the London market extended gains seen after Greece’s decision to summon financial aid.

London’s top-flight shares receded from the 5600 mark today as investors paused for breath in the wake of Friday’s 18-month highs.

London's FTSE 100 Index slid into the red today as jitters over the US economy overshadowed bumper profits at JP Morgan Chase.

Next and Home Retail Group saw further share falls today, but the wider market trod water ahead of results from US bank JP Morgan Chase.

London’s FTSE 100 Index jumped 1.5% today as worries over the global impact of the Dubai debt crisis showed signs of easing.

British homebuilder Bovis Homes sounded a note of caution on the UK housing market today as it reported a £8.6m (€9.9m) loss in the first half of the year.

The London market edged off the starting block today amid fragile investor sentiment on the economy.

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.

The rally on London’s FTSE 100 Index ground to an abrupt halt today as investors rushed to secure profits amid more gloomy news on banks after their recent bull run.

Further gloomy economic news from the US sent the FTSE 100 Index into negative territory today amid signs the word's biggest economy is far from recovery.

Further steep falls in the banking sector today led the FTSE 100 Index below the 3,500 barrier to a fresh six-year low.

Halifax Bank of Scotland enjoyed a rare day in the sun today as it was buoyed by renewed confidence over its takeover by Lloyds TSB.

Housebuilders and retail stocks were higher today amid hopes that British government measures to stimulate the property market will revive consumer demand.

A volatile session for the FTSE 100 Index saw blue chips claw back the worst of their losses today as a bright start on Wall Street cheered investors.

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

The London market took a pounding today as banks and other consumer-facing stocks suffered amid fading hopes for a quick cut in interest rates.

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.

Sharply lower oil prices helped the London market break a three-day losing streak today as the blue chip share index rallied 2.5%.

A sharp fall in the share price of mobile phone giant Vodafone wiped nearly 50 points off the FTSE 100 Index today.

Housebuilder Barratt Developments today confirmed that 1,200 jobs will go and announced a deal with its lenders to strengthen finances amid the property market woes.

BLACK Tuesday gave way to a slightly brighter Wednesday yesterday as Europe’s stock markets, including Dublin’s ISEQ, rebounded from heavy losses early in the week.

The UK's major housebuilders began a stock market fightback today amid speculation of a City bail-out for the battered sector.

The London market enjoyed its first positive session of the week today as banks and housebuilders clawed back some of the previous day's heavy losses.

Carphone Warehouse and Argos owner Home Retail Group fell heavily today after updates from the pair failed to soothe nerves in the retail sector.

House price gloom outweighed gains for energy stocks as the London market dipped into the red today.

Healthy gains for the oil and mining sectors helped the London market make headway today, despite further bad news on the housing front.

Shares in UK housebuilders took a fresh hit today after traders reported the sale of seven million shares in leading firm Barratt Developments.

The London market overcame fresh worries about the state of the US economy to close near the 6,000 barrier today.

The London market came through a less volatile session today as good news for blue-chip firms Vodafone and Sainsbury’s steadied investor nerves.

Mobile phone giant Vodafone and better-than-expected sales figures from supermarket chain Sainsbury’s helped steady the London market today.