Asian stock markets fell today, a day after Spain formally requested help to rescue its ailing banks and investors lost hope that an upcoming summit of European leaders would yield meaningful results.

Asian stock markets were mostly lower this morning as investors registered dismay at the path chosen by the Federal Reserve to try to invigorate the stalled US recovery.

Asian stock markets rose today as investors waded back into riskier assets amid hopes that central banks in the US and elsewhere were gearing up for action to help their beleaguered economies.

Asia’s stock markets have taken a beating as potential signs of the US economic recovery shifting into reverse spooked investors.

Asian stock markets rebounded today after a slew of solid earnings boosted the outlook for US companies and a successful Spanish bond auction eased worries over Europe's debt crisis.

Asian stock markets fell today as jittery investors awaited a deadline for Greece to get sufficient support from its private creditors for a debt reduction deal or face default.

Asian stock markets were mostly lower today as investors fretted over the details of a deal to save Greece from financial collapse and preserve its place among nations that use the euro.

Asian stock markets fell today, with slower-than-expected growth in the US and uncertainty about a tentative deal to resolve Greece’s debt crisis weighing on investor sentiment.

Early trading in Europe has been skittish after a downgrade of France's long-term credit rating by Standard and Poor's on Friday.

World stocks rose today, assisted by an absence of bad financial news and signs that the US economy may be strengthening.

Asian stock markets slumped today amid new signs of pressure on Europe’s banking system and a downturn on Wall Street.

World stocks rose today amid growing optimism that European leaders will approve aggressive plans by the end of the week to rescue the region from a debt crisis that has rocked financial markets for months.

Asian stock markets soared after major central banks acted in concert to lower borrowing costs, hoping to prevent a global credit crisis similar to the one that followed the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

World stocks were boosted today by a robust start to the US holiday shopping season and reports that European leaders are considering legal means to force debt-ridden euro countries into fiscal discipline.

The turmoil on world markets intensified today amid fresh fears of an Italian default after the country’s borrowing costs soared to unsustainable levels.

Asian stock markets struggled but European shares advanced today as fears that Italy could become the next domino to fall in Europe’s debt crisis were muted by Greece edging back from the brink.

The London stock market continued to slide today as traders digested emerging details of a multitrillion-euro eurozone rescue plan.

Shell-shocked investors were spared further heavy losses today as stock markets held firm in the wake of yesterday’s bloodbath.

World stock markets are being pushed to 13-month lows with fears of another global recession and talk of governments stepping in to soothe nerves.

World markets slumped today as fears of a global recession were reignited by a gloomy outlook from America’s central bank.

Efforts by the US Federal Reserve to stimulate the world’s biggest economy failed to impress markets today, triggering another rout for the UK’s biggest companies.

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 struggled to find their footing today, giving back early gains despite a dramatically higher finish on Wall Street last night.

London's FTSE 100 Index held firm today despite another rocky session for banks as worries mounted over a possible debt default in the US.

The FTSE 100 Index started the new year with a bang today as it rallied past 6000 with a gain of more than 2%.

The London market’s festive rally ran out of steam today during a lacklustre start to the last full trading session of the decade.

Britain’s blue chip stocks reached a landmark today as the FTSE 100 Index recovered to the level seen before the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers.

EUROPEAN markets rallied strongly in early trading yesterday following China’s decision to invest almost €460bn to stimulate its slowing economy.

London’s share fight-back faltered today as the FTSE 100 Index swung back into the red in volatile trading.

In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Japan's Nikkei 225 indexes are both more than 2% higher after a rally from the Dow of 3.5% - its biggest percentage one-day rise for more than five years.