Eight global banking giants have been fined a combined €1.7 bn by the European Commission for forming illegal cartels to rig benchmark interest rates.

Weaker-than-expected European economic data gave British investors a jolt today as the FTSE 100 Index slipped back from yesterday’s three-week high.

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

The wholesale gas market sees the purchase and sale of energy products - electricity and natural gas – by energy producers and energy retailers.

More than £3bn (€3.75bn) was wiped off Barclays’ market value today as its rate-rigging scandal sent shockwaves throughout the banking sector.

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.

Banking stocks led strong gains on the London market today as optimism surrounding the global economic outlook strengthened.

The FTSE 100 Index suffered its fifth losing session in a row today as high borrowing costs for Italy and Spain fuelled fears of a eurozone meltdown.

The London market lost ground today after an emergency summit between the leaders of France and Germany failed to ease fears over the eurozone crisis.

Banks helped lift London's leading index sharply higher today after Lloyds Banking Group boss Antonio Horta-Osorio received backing for his plans to overhaul the taxpayer-controlled bank.

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.

Travel firms slumped into the red today as fears over political unrest in Egypt hit blue chip stocks.

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.

The FTSE 100 Index failed to make headway today as a surprise fall in retail sales weighed on sentiment.

The FTSE 100 ended a six-day winning streak today as US retail figures disappointed and investors took the chance to book profits.

The FTSE 100 Index roared almost 3% ahead today as investors looking for bargains in the mining sector pushed the market higher.

The FTSE 100 Index saw a nervous start to the week today as worries over Greece's ability to repay its debts ensured a jittery session.

Gains in the mining sector helped the London market pull out of its losing streak today but economic worries continued to shake confidence in financial stocks.

The London market finished off weak January trading with a surge today as better-than-expected US economic data boosted investor confidence.

The London market tumbled 1% today as miners continued to be weighed down by fears over potential curbs to Chinese growth.

The FTSE 100 Index edged into positive territory today after news that the UK weakly emerged from its longest and deepest recession in the final quarter of 2009.

An official end to the UK's longest recession since records began failed to give any fillip to the FTSE 100 Index today.

London’s blue chip share index soared almost 2% today amid encouraging news on the US housing market and a new record for gold prices.

The FTSE 100 Index pulled back from 14-month highs today as investors took the chance to take some money off the table.

The London market was given a late session boost from the US today, but the lift was not enough to save Royal Bank of Scotland from plunging into the red.

The FTSE 100 Index finished ahead for the first time this week as sentiment was given a tentative boost by more upbeat corporate and economic news today.

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

Grim annual figures from British Airways plunged the stock into the red today as the airline's woes overshadowed more stable trading elsewhere.

Better-than-expected results from US banking giant Citigroup saw banks extend their rally today and helped the FTSE 100 Index hold firm above 4000.

London’s FTSE 100 Index soared to gains of almost 5% today as investors returned to beleaguered financial stocks.

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

Blue chip stocks were dragged lower on the London Stock Exchange today amid a raft of disappointing updates and as the mammoth US rescue plan did little to budge economic fears.

The FTSE 100 Index shed more than 2% today as markets reacted with initial disappointment to US economic rescue plans.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the day almost 2% down today as the worst snow in 20 years meant thin trading volumes in London.

An upbeat opening on Wall Street helped drag London’s leading stocks into positive territory today.

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

The London market suffered a fourth day of losses in a row today as economic concerns weighed on commodity and financial stocks.

The London market suffered a fourth day of losses in a row today as economic concerns weighed on commodity and financial stocks.

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.

Hopes that the US Government’s $700bn bank bail-out may not be dead in the water helped the London market bounce back nearly 2% today.

A turbulent session for world markets left the FTSE 100 Index at its lowest level for more than three years tonight.

The FTSE 100 Index slipped below the 5000 barrier today after another gruelling session for top-flight banking shares.

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

A rare dose of good news from the high street failed to cheer investors today as more housing market woes dragged the London market into the red.