Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell saw its shares fall on their stock market debut today as enthusiasm for its historic unification quickly wore off.

The London market was in a subdued mood today, as investor sentiment continued to be dented by the situation in the Middle East.

London investors were on tenterhooks they waited for news of what could be one of the biggest corporate collapses in US history.

London shares are shrugging off concerns about uncertain economic conditions as the FTSE 100 Index surges above the 5100 barrier.

Britain’s biggest companies fell back on the stock market today as fears about the global economy took hold once more.