Banking giant HSBC has called off plans to buy a controlling stake in South Africa’s fourth largest bank, it was revealed today.

London’s blue-chip share index failed to make headway today despite a recovery from bank stocks as fears over capital raisings eased.

Dismal housing data from the US fuelled fears of a slowdown in global economic recovery today, rattling investor confidence and triggering a slump in stock markets.

Takeover activity helped lift the London market higher today after blue-chip Old Mutual said it had entered into exclusive talks with HSBC to sell South African bank Nedbank.

Blue-chip Old Mutual led the FTSE 100 Index higher today as miners also lent support on hopes that Australia’s election result will scupper a new super tax.

A late rally rescued a lacklustre session for investors today as financial markets gave a lukewarm response to the new coalition government.

The FTSE 100 Index suffered an uncertain session today as traders digested mixed messages on the economic recovery.

Standard Life shares jumped more than 3% today after the insurer's sales figures for the final quarter of 2009 outstripped expectations on London's trading floors.

The FTSE 100 Index closed almost 100 points higher today after energy stocks surged and investors eyed a New Year revival in takeover activity.

The London market struggled for direction today as the UK's Pre-Budget Report failed to shock while concerns continued over the world economic recovery.

The FTSE 100 Index held its ground above the 5200 mark today to close at its highest level for more than a year.

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

Downbeat housing market data from the US sent London stocks into reverse today in a nervous session for the FTSE 100 Index.

The London market slipped into losses today after a big jump in US oil supplies fuelled concerns over weak energy demand.

A major oil discovery for BP sent the group's shares racing to their highest close for nine months today, but failed to lift the wider market.

The London market extended its winning streak to an eleventh day today after a late climb into the black.

London's blue chip share index staged a late session rally today as optimism on Wall Street added to investor cheer over a potential takeover of Friends Provident.

Hopes of consolidation in the insurance sector meant shares in Friends Provident and other leading players posted strong gains today.

The FTSE 100 Index was mired in the red today as investors showed nerves ahead of tomorrow's UK budget and banking stocks continued their slide.

Financial stocks led the FTSE 100 Index into the red today as the London market slid to its third successive losing session.

The London market soared more than 4% today as better than expected sales figures from retail giant Marks & Spencer helped lift spirits.

The London market was under pressure again today as the break-up of the Dunfermline Building Society sent tremors through the bank sector.

The London market hung on to most of the near-5% rise seen in its previous session today as insurance stocks kept up their momentum.

The FTSE 100 Index slid as much as 3% today after nervous investors bailed out of Lloyds Banking Group and figures showed the US economy contracted at its fastest pace for more than a quarter of a century.

Financial stocks surged today after the Government unveiled details of its scheme to insure toxic debts worth hundreds of billions of pounds.

The FTSE 100 plunged more than 3% into the red today as fears over a worsening global recession ensured a gloomy end to the trading week.

The FTSE 100 Index broke a five-day losing streak today, but banks proved a rare bright spot amid subdued trading in London.

The FTSE 100 Index fought back from lows below the 4000 barrier today in the wake of figures confirming the official start of the UK recession.

A further banking sell off today dragged the London market to its seventh consecutive day in the red.

Further pressure on banking stocks and more mixed economic data combined to keep the FTSE 100 Index close to its opening mark today.

Stock markets rallied strongly today as investors looked to a fresh set of measures to help the ailing global economy.

Strong gains for heavyweights British Airways, Tesco and Royal Bank of Scotland capped another rollercoaster session for investors 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.

A surge for commodity-based stocks helped the London market register a fifth successive session of gains today.

The FTSE 100 Index jumped 8% today as hopes for another round of interest rate cuts led to the third biggest gain in the benchmark’s history.

London’s FTSE 100 Index surged 5% today after banks and insurers enjoyed strong gains on expectations of further heavy interest rate cuts.

Another dire day for blue-chip stocks saw the FTSE 100 Index plunge more than 5% today to hit its lowest level in more than five years.

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.

The FTSE 100 Index was in retreat today as uncertainty over the fate of the US banking bail-out unsettled investors.

The FTSE 100 Index posted its first winning session of the week today as renewed optimism over the Fed's massive bail-out plan drove financial stocks higher.

The FTSE 100 Index enjoyed its second winning session in a row today as news of a £5bn (€6.3bn) takeover move in the mining sector helped boost blue chips.

A much-needed rally for banking stocks helped power the FTSE 100 Index to a gain of more than 2.5% today.

The London market broke its three-day losing streak today as strong gains from oil and commodity stocks offset another dire session for banks and property firms.