Disappointment over a weaker-than-expected US manufacturing report kept investors on the sidelines as London’s lacklustre week continued.

Thomson Holidays owner TUI Travel today said it continued to outperform the UK market as it revealed healthy summer bookings and strong online growth.

Thomson Holidays owner TUI Travel reported improved summer bookings today as it continued to outpace the market and make gains at the expense of struggling rival Thomas Cook.

Struggling tour operator Thomas Cook has reportedly suffered a near 33% slump in summer bookings as its financial woes deter already cash-strapped holidaymakers.

British travel agent Thomas Cook today said it will close 200 stores over the next two years as it battles to turn around its ailing UK business.

Thomas Cook said today that it is in further talks with its banks to shore up its finances after trade continued to deteriorate amid plummeting consumer confidence.

Plans to shake-up struggling UK tour operator Thomas Cook are set to include the closure of about 200 travel agencies, it was reported today.

A much-needed rally for London shares was sustained today after the US Federal Reserve helped to address some of the panic in world markets.

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 struggled to make gains today despite a rally among banking stocks, as the eurozone debt crisis continued to worry investors.

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

An improved outlook on the crisis in Libya and a raft of positive blue-chip updates saw the FTSE 100 Index break back through the 6000 barrier today.

The London market was dragged down today by fears over the impact higher oil prices will have on inflation and global economic growth.

Libya’s ongoing crisis sent the London market into the red today as oil prices continued to surge.

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.

Travel firms slumped into the red today as fears over political unrest in Egypt hit blue chip stocks.

London’s FTSE 100 Index sunk into the red today as political unrest in Egypt hit sentiment and sent travel stocks lower.

The escalating political unrest in Egypt took its toll on global markets today as oil prices pushed higher and shares in the travel sector slumped.

A gloomy consumer confidence survey and bad news from Asian markets served to pull the FTSE 100 Index downwards today.

The FTSE 100 Index ended on a Christmas high today after a last-minute rally saw the main London market close past the symbolic 6000 mark.

The FTSE 100 Index edged past the 6000 mark for the first time since June 2008 today in a last minute push before the market closed.

The London market continued its rally today after the European Central Bank stepped up efforts to contain the continent's government debt crisis.

THE travel sector will be in sharp focus this week when tour operators TUI Travel and Thomas Cook deliver full-year results, with figures also due from two players in the pub market.

The FTSE 100 Index marched further ahead today thanks to robust figures on Chinese economic growth and more good earnings news on Wall Street.

The FTSE 100 Index remained near to its highest point since April today after world markets were given a boost by figures on Chinese economic growth.

Improved confidence in the global economic recovery boosted commodity stocks today and pushed the FTSE 100 Index higher.

London’s blue chip share index steamed 1.4% ahead today thanks to a boost from cheery news on the world’s biggest economy.

The FTSE 100 Index just managed to keep its head above water today after spending much of the session in the red following mixed economic data from the US and concerns over European debt.

The FTSE 100 Index soared past the 5600 level today as stock markets worldwide rallied ahead of Tuesday's key meeting on interest rates by the US Federal Reserve.

The London market marched ahead today as new banking regulations and reassuring Chinese data whetted investors’ appetite for risk.

Global stock markets soared higher today as investors took heart from positive signs for the global economy.

Global stock markets plunged into the red today after downbeat economic forecasts in the US and UK sent shares reeling.

Central bankers failed to soothe the nerves of investors today after key reports highlighted the global economy's fragile recovery prospects.

Anxious stay-at-home Britons triggered a second profit warning from a major tour operator in as many days today as Thomas Cook joined Thomson Holidays rival TUI Travel in the doldrums.

TUI Travel led London’s blue chip share index into the red today as stocks suffered in cautious trading ahead of key forecasts from UK and US central banks.

The FTSE 100 Index maintained its recovery rally today despite Wall Street opening in the red.

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

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 FTSE 100 Index shed almost 1% today after weaker metal prices caused a slump for shares in mining companies.

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

The London market edged lower today as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of Alistair Darling's imminent Budget announcement.

A clearer picture on consumer spending may emerge this week as firms including Diageo are among those due to issue updates.