Fears that the European Central Bank will fail to prescribe the medicine needed for the ailing eurozone triggered big losses on London's leading shares index today.

Disappointment over US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke’s failure to offer clear signals of imminent economy boosting measures sent the FTSE 100 Index into the red today.

Barclays shares rose 3% today as chairman Marcus Agius’s decision to step down in the wake of the rate-rigging scandal was backed by investors.

An agreement to boost the eurozone bailout fund lifted London’s leading shares index today and helped it finish the first quarter of 2012 with gains of 3.5%.

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

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.

London’s main market made progress despite a tough time for the retail sector after the owner of catalogue chain Argos issued a gloomy warning over high street trading.

The London market ended slightly higher as lower oil prices hit the energy sector and overshadowed a strong session for UK insurers.

The London market sunk deeper into the red today after further falls in commodity prices hit traders' confidence.

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.

The FTSE 100 Index surged ahead for the third session in a row today as a multi-billion dollar telecoms deal offset concerns over military strikes in Libya and the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan.

The London market surrendered earlier gains as oil prices surged after fears that Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, could be rocked by a political uprising.

World markets staged a bounce back today as oil prices steadied and offset disappointing economic data in the UK and US.

London's FTSE 100 Index slipped into the red today on concerns over global political unrest and moves to curb inflation in China.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed to a fresh two-and-a-half-year high today after the banking sector shrugged off British government plans to increase the rate of its new levy.

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.

Concerns over China’s plans for fiscal tightening and further uncertainty surrounding the European debt crisis saw the FTSE 100 Index close in the red today.

Investors enjoyed a buoyant start to the year today after the FTSE 100 Index powered beyond the 6000 barrier and BP shares jumped 5%.

The FTSE 100 Index showed little appetite for finishing the year above 6,000 today, despite some better economic news from the United States.

Commodity and banking stocks briefly pushed the FTSE 100 Index past the 5900 mark today before it slipped back again.

Hopes for further economy-boosting measures from the US Federal Reserve mounted today, sending the London market higher.

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.

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

The FTSE 100 Index broke a three-day losing streak today despite another turbulent session for beleaguered oil giant BP.

The FTSE 100 Index made welcome gains today as oil giant BP also pulled out of its recent steep declines.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a much-needed rally today as European markets reversed some of their recent punishing declines.

The FTSE 100 Index relapsed into the red today as it gave back Tuesday's gains on persistent fears over the Greek debt crisis.

The London market hit a new 22-month high today amid decent economic news despite the growing prospect of an International Monetary Fund bail-out for Greece.

The London market lost ground today as concerns over the eurozone brought markets back from near-two year highs.

Worries over the eurozone recovery held back the FTSE 100 Index from adding to 22-month highs today.

The London market rose more than 1% today to hit a 22-month high as investors embarked on the Easter holidays buoyed by recovery hopes.

Broadcaster BSkyB was centre of attention on the London market today after a better-than-feared verdict from regulator Ofcom over the amount it can charge rivals for premium sports.

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

Global economic concerns hit stocks today and offset strong gains from blue chip retailers on London's leading share index.

London’s top-flight shares receded from the 5600 mark today as investors paused for breath in the wake of Friday’s 18-month highs.

The London market leapt to its highest level for 18 months today after US unemployment figures eased economic concerns about the world's biggest economy.

Energy and banking firms were out of favour with investors today as the London market slid lower.

There was further stock market pain for retailers today after Marks & Spencer sent a chill through the sector with warnings over the trading outlook.

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.

London’s FTSE 100 Index was under more pressure today as recovery doubts put pressure on blue-chip stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index dipped into negative territory today after poor earnings from US groups General Electric and Bank of America knocked investor confidence.

Shares in airline stocks flew higher today as the FTSE 100 Index chalked up its fifth winning session in a row.

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

Renewed hopes of a takeover for Friends Provident sent the insurer's shares soaring today, but part-nationalised banks suffered amid uncertainty over future prospects.