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.

Fears that the European Central Bank will fail to prescribe the medicine needed for the ailing eurozone triggered big losses on London's leading shares index today.

London’s FTSE 100 Index surged 1.4% higher today as hopes of a resolution to the eurozone crisis offset another day of scandal for Britain’s banking sector.

Investors were lured back into the market today by hopes of further stimulus measures in China and optimism ahead of a key EU summit.

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.

Supermarket giant Tesco failed to win over investors with its £1bn plan to revive its UK arm today as the grocer followed world markets into the red.

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%.

Sainsbury’s topped London’s leading shares index after revealing better-than-expected sales on an otherwise lacklustre day for the market.

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.

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

Fresh fears that Greece and Portugal will sink under the weight of their debts saw London's leading shares index fall further from a six-month high today.

London's leading shares index closed above the 5,700 mark for the first time in nearly three months today but global growth fears continued to spook investors.

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.

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

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen by 0.3%, although it was held back by the worries over Italy.

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

The stock exchanges in both London and New York staged a modest recoveries today after four days of heavy losses on hopes of action tonight to boost the US economy.

Fashion house Burberry was the top faller in the FTSE 100 Index today as its stellar annual results were overshadowed by a bout of profit-taking.

The FTSE 100 Index surged ahead for the third session in a row today as a multi-billion dollar telecoms deal offset concerns over military strikes in Libya and the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan.

Falling oil prices offered support for the FTSE 100 Index today but hefty declines among miners limited gains in the top tier.

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.

World markets staged a bounce back today as oil prices steadied and offset disappointing economic data in the UK and US.

Blue chip stocks remained deep in the red and oil prices surged past $110 a barrel as the crisis in Libya showed no sign of easing today.

The London market struggled to make progress today as eurozone debt concerns weighed on the minds of investors.

London's FTSE 100 Index shrugged off concerns in the banking sector today as a buoyant session on Wall Street helped blue chips make gains.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a mini-fightback today on the back of gains made by banking and mining stocks but it was still more than 100 points down on the week.

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 cheered investors in 2010 with better-than-expected growth of about 9%, although there are fears that the coming year could be much more difficult for the London market.

The FTSE 100 Index finished slightly down today as speculation over a Chinese interest rate rise dented shares in miners.

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

A strong session for taxpayer-owned banks helped keep London’s blue-chip share index in positive territory today.

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

Hopes for further economy-boosting measures from the US Federal Reserve mounted today, sending the London market higher.

Argos and Homebase owner Home Retail Group is set to lose its blue-chip status when the latest quarterly review of the FTSE 100 Index takes place next week.

Shares in British Airways and cruise firm Carnival made headway today as concerns eased over the long-term effects on travel demand from the recent terror scare.

HALF of the 4,500 companies in the UN oil-for-food programme, including Volvo and Daimler Chrysler, paid €1.5 billion in kickbacks and illicit surcharges to Saddam Hussein’s government, a UN report has concluded.

A WAVE of more upbeat company results and economic data have stoked a summer surge in British share prices and should keep them on the rise in the coming months — albeit at a less sizzling pace.