The London market struggled to find direction today as falls from heavyweight miners and Vodafone offset relief over Royal Bank of Scotland’s losses.

Underwriters were left picking up nearly two thirds of unwanted new Halifax Bank of Scotland shares today after investors spurned the group’s £4bn (€5bn) rights issue.

Halifax Bank of Scotland’s £4bn (€5bn) investor cash-call today looked doomed to be one of the biggest failed rights issues ever, despite shares rallying as banks soared higher.

The FTSE 100 Index gained more than 1% today amid rising hopes that policymakers will hold off from tackling inflation with interest rate hikes.

The London market plunged 1.8% into the red today as fears over potential interest rate rises spooked investors on both sides of the Atlantic.

A further round of sell recommendations from brokers cranked up the pressure on shares in the housebuilding and retail sectors today.

The UK’s major housebuilders took another stockmarket hammering today as fears over the property market sent shareholders rushing for the exit.

The FTSE 100 Index overcame losses for major banks to finish in positive territory today after a volatile session on the London market.

London’s leading share index held firm in positive territory today as a rally in the housebuilding sector and strong gains from banks gave the market a boost.

UK consumers were today left to weigh up the pros and cons of putting their money into Northern Rock after the bank’s new chairman said it was “business as usual”.

The FTSE 100 Index’s turbulent start to the year continued today with a see-saw session that failed to get out the red.

The FTSE 100 Index lost ground today after a nervous start in US markets unsettled London’s blue chips.

IRISH financial shares took a further hammering in Dublin yesterday as the ISEQ 100 Index saw close to €2.5 billion wiped off its overall value.

Oil giant BP today offered hopes of a recovery from its recent woes despite a 45% slump in profits.

Troubled mortgage bank Northern Rock led blue-chip stocks higher today on the back of mounting speculation over a potential rescue for the lender.

All Bar One and Harvester owner Mitchells & Butlers today said costs linked to its shelved property deal had more than doubled amid the current credit crisis.

Blue chips were back on a tentative road to recovery today as the London market enjoyed its second day of gains, buoyed by hopes of a US interest rate cut.

The Bank of England’s decision to keep interest rates on hold gave the London market a welcome lift today.

Property stocks added some strength to the London market today after news of further consolidation in the housing sector buoyed shares.

The UK benchmark index enjoyed a late rally today after benefiting from a strong surge in mining company shares.

FT publisher Pearson today slid from last week's four-and-a-half-year shares high, despite confirming the business was in line for record profits for the year.

Trading on the London Stock Exchange started the year in an upbeat mood as the FTSE 100 index closed at its highest level in almost six years today.

The FTSE 100 Index looked on course for a fresh six-year high after a sparkling start to the new year today.

Oil and gas explorer BG Group said today higher gas prices and increased production levels around the world had helped boost profits.

The Dow Jones industrial average broke through 11,900 to close at a record high today, boosted by optimism over the health of US corporate earnings.

Wall Street ended a record-breaking week quietly today, edging lower after the Labour Department said US employers added far fewer jobs than expected last month. The major indexes all scored big gains for the week.

BANKS have launched syndication of the senior facilities backing the buyout of Eircom by BCM.

Online casinos surged in value today despite backing in the United States last night for strict laws to ban internet gambling.

Aviation analysts have suggested that the value of Aer Lingus could be a lot less than has been predicted.

Manchester United may have been toppled as Premiership champions but the club is still expected to report a 9% rise in half-year turnover to £89.3m (€130m) and a 14% increase in underlying earnings to £36.5m (€53.1m) on Tuesday.

London shares edged higher in midmorning trades, underpinned by another positive session on Wall Street last night, and fuelled by a resurgence of interest in technology stocks following Dell's Q2 figures overnight, dealers said.