The London market edged back into positive territory as a rise in the price of oil eased the pressure on top-flight stocks.

The relief rally that swept through Europe’s stock markets this week came to an abrupt halt, as shares slid for the eighth time in nine days and hit their lowest levels since September 2013.

The pound rose sharply yesterday after new forecasts from the Bank of England appeared to bring forward the likely timing of an interest rate hike.

Blue-chip sharesin the UK began the week on the front foot today as investors shrugged off an 8% plunge in the Chinese stock market overnight.

Dublin-based prospector, Karelian Diamond Resources has applied for two exploration claim reservations near the Arctic Circle.

A bankrupt stockbroker who defrauded millions of pounds from some of Britain’s shrewdest business people was today ordered to pay a nominal £1 (€1.17) fee.

Jeweller Harry Winston is selling its watches-to-necklaces division to Swatch Group in a $750m (€562m) cash deal that expands the Swiss watchmaker’s luxury offering and lets the Canadian group concentrate on its diamond mines.

Uncertainty over whether a bail-out deal can be agreed for stricken Greece put pressure on the London market today ahead of Monday’s crucial meeting by European finance ministers.

Multibillion-pound plans for the creation of a new natural resources powerhouse were revived today under a last-ditch deal.

Calling an end to the commodity boom is problematic because the definition of what constitutes the boom depends on who you are.

The eight tons of gold, silver and copper unearthed from mines in Mongolia and Utah and now under guard at the Tower of London is the largest ever haul used to make Olympic medals.

The London market closed in the red today after US policymakers failed to signal that more emergency stimulus measures were on their way.

European markets slid more than 1% today as investors steered clear of riskier assets ahead of a key EU summit this week.

The rebound for London shares continued today after China’s first cut in interest rates in four years triggered a surge for mining shares.

World stocks dived today after a failure by Greece’s political leaders to form a coalition government set the stage for new elections next month, keeping Europe’s debt crisis centre stage.

Upbeat retail sales figures in the US outweighed concerns over Spain’s creaking finances today as world markets continued to make solid gains.

A late rally today helped London’s leading shares index recover from Tuesday’s rout despite mixed signs about the health of the world’s biggest economy.

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%.

London's leading shares index ended the week on a high today as fresh evidence of growth in the United States boosted traders' confidence.

A drop in oil prices triggered by a joint US and UK move to release strategic reserves pulled energy stocks and the wider FTSE 100 Index into the red today.

London’s leading shares index struggled to make significant progress today as fears over growth in China and the rumbling eurozone debt crisis troubled investors.

Mining giant Rio Tinto said it has unearthed a “remarkable” 12.76-carat pink diamond in Australia, the largest of the rare and precious stones ever found in the resources-rich nation, which could be worth up to US$12m (€9m).

London’s leading shares index struggled to make progress today after weaker-than-expected retail sales in the US overshadowed an upbeat bond auction in debt-laden Italy.

London’s leading shares index failed to gain significant ground today after a raft of blue-chip results overshadowed optimism in the US and merger talks in the mining sector.

Asian stock markets fell today as criticism by ratings agencies sparked scepticism about a historic European Union plan to fix a massive debt crisis by binding member economies closer together.

Hopes that politicians will make further progress tackling the eurozone debt crisis this week saw world markets make cautious gains today.

London’s blue chip index fell for a second day running as investors took fright at slower than expected growth in China and rising inflation fears in the United States.

UK investors lost confidence in the prospect of a speedy resolution to the eurozone debt crisis today, causing London's leading share index to drop into the red.

London’s leading shares index fell into the red today after a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that time was running out to tackle threats to the economic recovery.

Asian stock markets fell sharply today amid fresh anxiety over Europe’s debt problems and a potential default by Greece which would wreak havoc on the global economy.

Asian stock markets rose today as data showed the economy of earthquake-battered Japan shrank less than expected.

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

London’s FTSE 100 Index made more gains on hopes this week may have seen the start of a solution to the eurozone’s debt worries.

London’s FTSE 100 Index continued its recovery today despite a weak start on Wall Street after results from Caterpillar disappointed.

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 made scant progress today as an IMF endorsement of the UK government’s deficit-busting plans was overshadowed by wider fears over the global recovery.

The London market closed in the red today after disappointing jobs data in the US reignited fears over the strength of the global economic recovery.

A good start to the week faded today as markets turned down again after another batch of US economic figures came in below expectations.

A strong start to the week for global markets showed signs of petering out today as attention switched to economic recovery prospects.

IRISH exploration company, Petroneft has reported a full-year loss for 2010 of $7.12 million (just under €5m); up on the previous year’s loss of $6.5m.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed away from the 6000 barrier today as miners surged following a commodities rally that saw the price of oil hit fresh highs.

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.