London’s leading shares index made cautious gains today despite ratings downgrades for six of the world’s largest banks.

London’s blue chips recovered more ground as markets across Europe ended a volatile week on a rising note.

Europe’s sovereign debt crisis refused to loosen its grip on world markets today as commodity stocks led a fresh plunge for the FTSE 100 Index.

Further signs of imminent moves to bolster America's recovery sent the London market soaring today and offset falls among blue-chip banks.

Mining stocks bore the brunt of a shift in sentiment today amid fears that the recent rise in commodity prices may have been overdone.

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.

Markets on both sides of the Atlantic were in negative territory today after disappointing figures from Goldman Sachs and computer hardware giant IBM.

Marks & Spencer notched up its third quarter of sales growth in a row today as the retail giant’s recovery gained momentum.

The FTSE 100 Index fell almost 2% today as momentum faded following Monday’s 5% surge.

Heavyweight miners dragged the FTSE 100 Index lower today despite another bright session for many top-flight retailers.

London’s leading share index fell into the red today despite figures confirming a stronger-than-expected economic recovery in the final quarter of 2009.

The FTSE 100 Index was hit by a second late sell-off to fall to its lowest level of the year today amid fears over the latest bank crackdown from President Obama.

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

The FTSE 100 Index lost ground today as renewed worries over the impact of the Dubai debt crisis kept anxious investors on the sidelines.

Better than expected third-quarter results from oil major BP helped offset hefty bank share falls on the London market today.

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

World markets were under pressure today as uncertainty about Chinese economic prospects led investors to take profits following a recent rally.

London's blue chip share index hit a new 13-month high today on the back of a bumper start to the US bank reporting season and mounting hopes of economic recovery.

Gains of more than 5% for a string of mining stocks helped the FTSE 100 Index surge to its highest point in a year today.

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

London's blue chip share index overcame early jitters to resume its 25-year record summer rally today.

A rally of more than 2% for market heavyweight Vodafone helped London’s FTSE 100 Index hold on to recent gains today.

The FTSE 100 Index roared to its highest close since last October today as strong banking results and a renewed surge from mining stocks cheered investors.

London’s recent blue-chip rally ran out of steam today after heavy falls for a number of leading mining stocks.

World markets received a jolt today after commodity prices fell and investors pondered whether the recent rally in share prices had gone too far.

The FTSE 100 Index shed more than 2% today as cautious economic forecasts from the Bank of England dealt a blow to market sentiment.

A cautious economic forecast from the Bank of England left the FTSE 100 Index in the red today and sent the pound slumping back from recent gains.

A positive session for US and Asian markets overnight spurred the FTSE 100 Index to further strong gains today.

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.

The FTSE 100 Index dived below the 4,000 barrier today after grim economic figures heightened fears of a deep and prolonged recession.

Heightened volatility continued in the banking sector today with Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland shares see-sawing in another tough session for the sector.

Trading in banking shares continued to be volatile today after a sharp about-turn for shares in Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland.

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

The FTSE 100 Index pulled out of its tailspin today after earlier diving below the 4000 barrier.

London’s FTSE 100 Index today slumped almost 9% to cap the worst week for blue chip shares since “Black Monday” in 1987.

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 endured a second day of losses after amid continued doubts over the US Government’s bank bail-out plans today.

The FTSE 100 Index slid more than 2% today as some miserable high street results did nothing to ease fears of a looming UK recession.

Persistent fears over the economy and weaker metal prices dragged the London market more than 2% into the red today.

The London market took a pounding today as banks and other consumer-facing stocks suffered amid fading hopes for a quick cut in interest rates.

Currys and PC World owner DSG International shed 17% today as the beleaguered stock’s recent share price rally came to a juddering halt.

A further sharp slide in oil prices helped power the London market to a positive close today as travel firms and airlines soared on the lower cost of crude.

Blue chip stocks ended the session in negative territory today as concerns over the US economy added to HSBC’s profits gloom.