World markets struggled to make progress today after another meeting on the eurozone debt crisis failed to ease traders' nerves.

The London market finished the week on a high today as most EU countries agreed to explore plans for a closer union to get to grips with the region’s debt crisis.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed closer to a six-week high after retail stocks surged following a better-than-expected update from bellwether Marks & Spencer.

A steadier performance for oil prices and a doubling in annual profits at the world's biggest silver miner boosted confidence in London today.

Scottish & Southern Energy's plans to raise gas bills by 9.4% fuelled gains among blue chip utility stocks today.

The FTSE 100 Index recouped earlier heavy losses today after another grim set of jobless figures in the United States fuelled hopes that policymakers will take further action to prop up the global economic recovery.

The FTSE 100 Index ended a buoyant week with its fourth winning session in a row today as mining stocks continued their recent push higher.

World markets were dragged lower today after cautious comments from the US Federal Reserve curbed enthusiasm for riskier stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed higher today as good news from across the Atlantic offered a respite from recent market turmoil.

Part-nationalised British banks and miners took the top spots on the London market today as the index gained - while attention remained fixed on the Greek bailout.

Shares in part-nationalised banks made further strides today as the London market extended gains seen after Greece’s decision to summon financial aid.

Standard Life bucked a slide for the FTSE 100 Index today after cheering investors with its latest sales figures.

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 London market finished off weak January trading with a surge today as better-than-expected US economic data boosted investor confidence.

A rebound among blue chip banks failed to lift the FTSE 100 Index today as stocks fell in the wake of a shock plunge in US home sales.

Blue-chip banks were on a firmer footing today as immediate fears over America’s plans for radical banking reforms began to ease.

UK banking stocks slipped into the red today as the full level of public sector support for the financial sector was revealed.

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

Miners led the FTSE 100 Index higher today as traders awaited crucial US jobless figures.

MORE signs of life in the British housing market were offered after builders Barratt Developments and Redrow reported higher sales and stable prices.

The FTSE 100 Index finished ahead for the first time this week as sentiment was given a tentative boost by more upbeat corporate and economic news today.

British housebuilders stormed ahead today after Taylor Wimpey cheered sentiment with an upbeat assessment of the UK property market.

Commodity stocks led the London market higher today as the FTSE 100 Index looked to finish the week on a positive note.

Barratt Developments today said there were signs of stability in the British property market after it reported improved visitor numbers and reservation rates.

The FTSE 100 Index broke a four-day losing streak today after US bank Wells Fargo gave the sector a surprise lift with forecast-beating results.

Shares in Barclays rallied 6% today amid speculation that it is on the brink of announcing the £3bn (€3.31bn) sale of its iShares arm.

The FTSE 100 Index lost more ground today in a drifting session as lingering concerns over US earnings weighed on investors.

A surge of optimism pushed the FTSE 100 Index up more than 4% today after positive financial news combined with an agreement by world leaders aimed at combating the global economic crisis.

The beleaguered London market took another hammering today as a late sell-off left the FTSE 100 Index down another 3% at a fresh six-year low.

Struggling British housebuilder Barratt Developments today said it had crashed to losses of almost £600m (€670m) after huge writedowns in land values.

The slide in US stocks to the lowest level since 1997 put fresh pressure on the FTSE 100 Index and other world markets today.

The FTSE 100 Index suffered a sharp reversal of fortunes today as heavy falls in the US saw the London market undo early gains to lose almost 1%.

Banking stocks dominated the list of blue-chip risers today as investors prepared for a significant week in the beleaguered sector.

Housebuilder Barratt Developments today confirmed that 1,200 jobs will go and announced a deal with its lenders to strengthen finances amid the property market woes.

The London market made strong gains today as cheerier trading on the back of some good US news more than wiped out yesterday’s 1.3% fall.

London’s leading share index fell nearly 2% into the red today after a flurry of bad retail news and deepening gloom for housebuilders frayed nerves.

Retail stalwarts Sainsbury’s and Woolworths lost ground today after failing to impress with first quarter trading updates.

The FTSE 100 Index gained more than 1% today amid rising hopes that policymakers will hold off from tackling inflation with interest rate hikes.

The UK's major housebuilders began a stock market fightback today amid speculation of a City bail-out for the battered sector.

The London market enjoyed its first positive session of the week today as banks and housebuilders clawed back some of the previous day's heavy losses.

Carphone Warehouse and Argos owner Home Retail Group fell heavily today after updates from the pair failed to soothe nerves in the retail sector.

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.

Pressure on housebuilding shares intensified today after sector-wide downgrades from investment bank Goldman Sachs.