The London market closed lower today as improved US jobs data failed to offset fears over the wider economy.

The FTSE 100 Index today rallied past the 6,000 mark for the first time in nearly a month after a report revealed the US unemployment rate fell to a two-year low in March.

Banking shares kept the London market aloft today following bullish comment on the sector from investment brokers.

The rally on London’s FTSE 100 Index came to a halt today amid falls from heavyweight oil giant Royal Dutch Shell and concerns over escalating violence in Egypt.

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

London’s FTSE 100 Index sunk into the red today as political unrest in Egypt hit sentiment and sent travel stocks lower.

London’s FTSE 100 Index made further advances today thanks to a raft of well-received updates from the likes of Barclays and Schroders.

The FTSE 100 Index marched further ahead today thanks to robust figures on Chinese economic growth and more good earnings news on Wall Street.

Global stock markets soared higher today as investors took heart from positive signs for the global economy.

Better-than-expected economic data in the United States provided a late session boost for London’s blue chip share index today.

TUI Travel led London’s blue chip share index into the red today as stocks suffered in cautious trading ahead of key forecasts from UK and US central banks.

Blue chip banks roared higher today on news that Basel 3 regulatory reforms were set to be watered down.

The run of good news for British banking stocks continued today after the sector appeared to win a favourable settlement on bank capital standards.

Fresh concerns over the fragility of America’s recovery weighed on stocks today as the FTSE 100 Index suffered a second session in the red.

Market heavyweights AstraZeneca and embattled BP made steady gains today, but weak US jobs data limited the recovery on the wider FTSE 100 Index.

BP shares were hit by another major sell-off today despite wider gains for the FTSE 100 Index.

The London market stemmed its losses today as worries over the Greek debt crisis were eased by better news from the US and healthy corporate results.

The London market suffered more losses today as Greece’s debt turmoil and disappointment over earnings from mobile phone handset giant Nokia hit stocks worldwide.

Chancellor Alistair Darling’s pre-election Budget did little for the London market today despite slightly better news on the public finances.

The London market edged lower today as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of Alistair Darling's imminent Budget announcement.

A fresh round of spending cuts from debt-laden Greece helped shore up market confidence today as fears of sovereign default eased.

Barclays set the pace on the London market today as it kicked off the UK bank reporting season with a bumper profits haul.

Supermarket Sainsbury’s was a prominent casualty today as the FTSE 100 Index failed to maintain the momentum after two winning sessions.

Shares in Sainsbury’s retreated 3% today after evidence of more strong sales growth failed to excite the City.

The London market reached another high for the year today as rising gold prices boosted miners and more merger news added to positive sentiment.

The London market pulled into positive territory today as early gains on Wall Street helped boost sentiment.

Consolidation hopes in the mining sector failed to drag the London market out of the red today as lower oil prices weighed.

The FTSE 100 Index struggled to make headway today in spite of a raft of broker upgrades and signs of life in the DIY sector.

The FTSE 100 Index edged lower today as banking stocks bore the brunt of a cautious note on the sector from analysts at Credit Suisse.

A second day of bank share falls held back progress on the London market today and offset trading cheer from Holiday Inn group InterContinental Hotels.

Investors paused for breath today after the FTSE 100 Index’s best month in six years.

Fears of a global swine flu pandemic sent travel and airline stocks reeling today as reports of new cases mounted across the globe.

The FTSE 100 Index plunged deep into the red today as doubts over the US economic stimulus plan rippled through global markets.

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 London market dipped into the red today amid jitters on Wall Street and signs of energy market fallout from the conflict between Russia and Georgia.

ITV shares jumped by more than 9% today as traders continued to speculate over the possibility of a takeover approach from Dutch firm Endemol.

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

Fears of an interest rate hike in the US failed to stop the London market from reaching a four-month high today as blue-chips were buoyed by some positive trading updates.

Positive first quarter results and the impact of high oil prices on energy firms meant the London market resumed its upward path today.

Barclays shares swung into positive territory today after the bank overcame an initially lukewarm reaction to full-year profits of £7.1bn (€9.4bn).

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

The FTSE 100 Index endured a sluggish session today after downgrades for leading blue-chips including banking giant Barclays.

Strong gains from miners and retailing giant Marks & Spencer helped the London market rebound from a three-day run of losses today.

The FTSE 100 Index was mired in the red today as nervous investors digested mixed news from the United States.