Smith & Nephew Plc, Europe’s biggest maker of artificial hips and knees, has agreed to pay $22.2 million (€16.9m) to settle allegations by the US Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission that it engaged in a scheme to pay bribes in Greece.

Banking stocks led strong gains on the London market today as optimism surrounding the global economic outlook strengthened.

UK investors shied away from risk today as the enormity of the task faced by new governments in Italy and Greece sank in.

The London market continued its grim week today after worse than expected results from Lloyds Banking Group sparked losses for financial stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index slumped more than 2% today after markets across the globe were shocked by a downgrade of the US government’s debt outlook.

The FTSE 100 Index slipped further below the 6000 mark today as heavily-weighted banking stocks suffered from renewed European debt concerns.

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.

The FTSE 100 Index bounced back past the 6000 mark today, but Marks & Spencer shares slumped into the red despite news of a Christmas sales hike.

Takeover talk buoyed medical devices firm Smith & Nephew today, but the wider market remained in the red as Wall Street opened with sharp losses.

Medical devices firm Smith & Nephew soared to the top of the FTSE 100 Index today after reports of a takeover approach from US rival Johnson & Johnson.

A strong show from banking stocks offset disappointing trading updates and led the London market higher today.

Takeover talk surrounding a raft of blue chip stocks was not enough to offset the impact of a stronger dollar on commodity shares today as the London market edged lower.

The London market bounced back from earlier losses today triggered by concerns surrounding the sovereign debt crisis in Ireland.

The FTSE 100 Index shook off earlier losses and continued its recent rally today after better-than-expected job figures in the US lifted the market.

Royal Dutch Shell was among those making share gains on the FTSE 100 Index today in a buoyant session for commodity stocks.

The London market fell into the red today in the face of deepening concerns over a European debt crisis, with the banking sector bearing the brunt of the pressure.

BP outperformed its oil rivals in the FTSE 100 Index today after incoming chief executive Bob Dudley announced a raft of measures aimed at rebuilding the shaken company.

The FTSE 100 Index remained in positive territory for the seventh straight session today, but stocks trod water as US markets remained shut for the Labor Day holiday.

Embattled oil major BP soared 5% today as investors cheered the prospect of a change at the top ahead of Tony Hayward's expected departure.

The FTSE 100 rose more than 1% today as markets were cheered by strong US corporate results and a major acquisition at home.

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.

The FTSE 100 Index pushed back above the 5,000 mark today as renewed talk of Qatari interest in Sainsbury's thrust the UK's third biggest supermarket into the takeover spotlight.

London’s leading share index made tentative gains today, but progress was held back as further poor US jobs data capped a disappointing week for global economic news.

The FTSE 100 Index pulled out of a steep nosedive today after slumping fall below 5000 for the first time in six months.

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

The London market made tentative gains today after European leaders said they stood “shoulder to shoulder” with debt-laden Greece but failed to outline a rescue plan.

BT’s £9bn (€10.2bn) pensions black hole caused further anxiety for investors today after it revealed that the Pensions Regulator still had “substantial concerns” about the company’s plans for tackling the deficit.

Banking stocks were out of favour today amid market worries over tough new capital requirements.

The London market fell back below the 5200 mark today amid falls for retailers and concerns over US earnings reports.

The London market’s six-day winning streak came to an end today as Royal Bank of Scotland led blue-chip shares lower.

The FTSE 100 Index dipped into the red today despite economic cheer in America.

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

Blue chip stocks were dragged lower on the London Stock Exchange today amid a raft of disappointing updates and as the mammoth US rescue plan did little to budge economic fears.

Telecoms giant BT and Guinness group Diageo led falls on the London market today after disappointing updates from the firms.

Early optimism surrounding America’s hefty interest rate cut faded fast today as stock market attentions turned to the mounting economic gloom.

More dire figures from the UK manufacturing sector did little to dampen the mood of investors today as the London market rallied from early losses.

The collapse of a rival operator buoyed holiday giants TUI Travel and Thomas Cook today as the FTSE 100 Index surged nearly 2% in the final session of the week.

Fears the global financial crisis could get worse in the coming months saw widespread losses in London today as the FTSE 100 Index slumped more than 2%.

Fears the global financial crisis could get worse in the coming months derailed the UK banking sector’s recent share price recovery today.

Holidaymakers heading for sun abroad are facing up to a weaker pound after sterling fell on fears of a possible UK recession.

Housebuilding shares were the stand out performers today as the London market made strong gains amid further falls in oil prices.

A strong end to the week in New York ensured the FTSE 100 Index established a foothold above the 5500 barrier today.

The London market failed to hold on to initial gains today, despite a boost from blue-chip banks in the wake of interim results from Barclays.

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.