Stock markets remained under pressure on both sides of the Atlantic today amid fears over the health of the global economy.

Transport giant FirstGroup lost more than a fifth of its stock market value today after an embarrassing British government u-turn dealt a blow to its hopes of running the West Coast franchise.

Increased optimism that central bankers will pull the trigger on further emergency support measures ensured a robust performance on the London market today.

Barclays shares rose 3% today as chairman Marcus Agius’s decision to step down in the wake of the rate-rigging scandal was backed by investors.

A raft of economic data from the US and China fuelled fears over the global economic recovery today and hit confidence on the London market.

The rally on London's main stock market seen after China’s surprise cut in interest rates was quickly reversed today after more grim warnings over Spain.

London’s leading index was broadly flat today as fears over Europe’s banks were offset by a strong consumer confidence survey on the other side of the Atlantic.

Doubts over the ability of EU leaders to deliver measures to ease the region’s debt crisis triggered a 2.5% slump for London’s leading shares index today.

Britain’s biggest banks saw shares slide today as fears over the eurozone debt crisis were compounded by a far-reaching debt downgrade of Spanish banks.

Markets suffered further falls today after Greece failed to patch together a coalition government, triggering another election next month.

World markets suffered heavy losses today as Greek party leaders struggled to reach an agreement to form a coalition government nine days after an election was held.

London’s leading shares index finished the week on a high after bullish comments from analysts helped lift some of the gloom over the banking sector.

Marks & Spencer and Burberry featured on a shortened fallers board today as the wider London market made decent gains following an encouraging debt auction in beleaguered Spain.

A rise in Spain’s borrowing costs today fuelled fears about the eurozone debt crisis and triggered a sell-off on world markets.

Further signs of recovery in the US failed to distract investors from gloomy manufacturing figures in China and the eurozone today as London’s leading shares index closed in the red.

London’s leading shares index lost its momentum today as a stronger dollar hit the heavily-weighted resources sector and dragged the market into the red.

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.

Lloyds was the biggest faller on London’s leading shares index today after it suffered a £3.5bn (€4.12bn) loss and warned of further problems ahead.

Bullish results from housebuilder Galliford Try and recruitment firm Hays helped the FTSE 250 Index outshine its top-tier partner today.

Rising oil prices and optimism that Greece will be saved from a calamitous default helped drive London’s leading shares index closer to the 6000 mark today.

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.

A lack of progress in talks between Greece and its creditors unsettled investors today as London's leading shares index failed to build on last week's gains.

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.

Greece's failure to reach a concrete deal with creditors to avoid a default depressed world markets today, with banks among the biggest losers.

A year to forget for investors ended today with London’s benchmark index 5.5% lower than its starting point in January.

World markets slipped into the red today after a scheme to boost liquidity and ease the eurozone debt crisis failed to settle traders’ nerves.

The London market’s longest losing streak in nine years looked set to continue today after fresh eurozone debt fears eroded confidence.

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

London’s leading shares index surged 3% today as investors cheered the long-awaited action plan from European leaders to tackle the region’s debt crisis.

HIGHER market prices for zinc led the main Lisheen mine company in Co Tipperary to record almost a fourfold increase in pre-tax profits to $82.4 million (€60.2m) last year.

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.

The ongoing eurozone debt crisis continued to spook investors today with the FTSE 100 Index starting the new quarter on the backfoot.

A jump for Wall Street stocks amid hopes of action to tackle the eurozone debt crisis helped the London market end a run of volatile trading today.

London's blue chip shares today made nervous gains in a volatile session as traders digested a possible three trillion euro plan to rescue the single currency.

Shell-shocked investors were spared further heavy losses today as stock markets held firm in the wake of yesterday’s bloodbath.

London’s leading share index suffered its biggest daily fall for almost three years after bleak comments from US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke again raised double-dip recession fears.

World markets slumped today as fears of a global recession were reignited by a gloomy outlook from America’s central bank.

Padraig Carmody

London’s leading index closed higher for a third day running as investors shrugged off fears of a slowdown in the euro region.

The London market clawed back its earlier losses today after better than expected data from the US calmed fears caused by disappointing German growth.

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.

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.