Aggreko led the FTSE 100 Index further above the 6000 level today after it was lifted by a deal to supply power to the firm that ran the crippled Fukushima power plant.

The London market was kept afloat by mining giants today after the owner of Currys and PC World issued a profits warning triggering declines among retailers.

A profits warning from Currys and PC World parent Dixons Retail triggered declines for retailers today, but the news failed to drag the wider market down.

Comet parent company Kesa Electricals today warned of a full-year loss for its UK operation after festive sales plunged 7.3%.

Relief that China refrained from raising interest rates pushed the FTSE 100 Index to its highest level for a month today as miners surged ahead.

Takeover talk surrounding a raft of blue chip stocks was not enough to offset the impact of a stronger dollar on commodity shares today as the London market edged lower.

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

The UK retail sector's recent rally was knocked off course today after the Office for National Statistics reported an unexpected fall in sales last month.

The FTSE 100 Index lost ground for the second session in a row today after US home sales plunged to a record low during May.

The FTSE 100 Index shed almost 2% today as worries over Chinese growth and mixed results from US banks sent tremors through world markets.

The FTSE 100 Index was in the red today as possible Chinese lending curbs weighed on sentiment ahead of the latest round of US banking results.

The FTSE 100 Index slid almost 2% into the red today as the spectre of US interest rate hikes overshadowed trading.

Better news from the UK jobs market and a strong session for financial stocks ensured the London market remained in positive territory today.

Fears over Dubai’s ability to pay its debts overshadowed trading for a second successive session today in a nervous end to a volatile week.

Retailers weighed on the London market today as the FTSE 100 Index failed to hold its position above the 5000 barrier.

World markets struggled for direction today, despite an apparent boost from the US Federal Reserve last night.

The FTSE 100 Index edged back into positive territory today despite weaker-than-expected official sales figures putting pressure on retailers.

The wider FTSE 100 Index was virtually flat, down 1.3 points at 4277.2 after an uneventful session in New York.

Fearful traders continued to drive banking shares lower today as Lloyds and Barclays joined Royal Bank of Scotland in suffering heavy losses.

Royal Bank of Scotland shares today recovered some ground lost after the previous session’s mammoth falls, but concerns continued to drag other banking stocks lower.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the last session before Christmas on a losing note today amid more bleak news for the retail sector.

The FTSE 100 Index was on the back foot today amid more bleak news for the retail sector in the run-up to Christmas.

There were more woes for retail stocks today after Carpetright and Comet owner Kesa Electricals became the latest to offer gloomy news.

Shares in Carpetright and Comet owner Kesa Electricals slumped today after the pair highlighted the pressure facing retailers in the current climate.

The FTSE 100 Index finished lower today as worries over the impact of dire Christmas trading conditions continued to hammer shares in the sector.

The London market made strong gains today as miners soared ahead and housebuilders were buoyed by encouraging property price figures.

British housebuilders were on the front foot today after building society Nationwide said the rate at which house prices were falling had eased “significantly”.

The London market bounced back from Friday’s five-year low in spectacular fashion today.

DSG International, the owner of Currys and PC World, has put its loss-making central and eastern European operations up for sale, it was reported today.

Declines in the retail and mining sectors added to fears over US investment banking giant Lehman Brothers today.

The owner of British electrical retailer Comet said the high street chain would slump to a first half loss this year after sales of white goods dived.

Much-needed gains for retailers Marks & Spencer and Next failed to halt a London market slide today as weaker mining stocks weighed on trading.

The London market closed in the red today after a volatile session amid concerns over the housing market and political tension between Israel and Iran.

Shares in Comet owner Kesa Electricals were deep in the red today after gloom settled over its future trading prospects.

Continued demand for laptops and flat screen televisions helped shore up sales growth at electricals chain Comet today.

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.

Strong demand for laptops and flat screen TVs helped electricals chain Comet deliver a slender sales rise today but its parent warned of “difficult” trading ahead.

Housebuilders and retail stocks cheered the London market today after an encouraging series of trading updates today.

Marks & Spencer added to the retail blues in the UK this week after its Christmas sales disappointment, but it was not all doom and gloom in a mixed week for the sector.

The London market staged a late session turnaround today after positive US economic data helped offset hefty falls among UK retailers.

Banking stocks ended the final full trading session of the year on the back foot today as fears over the sector’s fortunes sent shares down.

The FTSE 100 Index held on to positive territory today, despite the impact of a weaker-than-expected start to trading on Wall Street.

Banking stocks enjoyed a welcome rebound today after renewed hopes of a bid for crisis-hit Northern Rock lifted sentiment in the sector.