Commodities giant Glencore remained at the bottom of London’s leading shares index today after it raised its offer for Xstrata to keep hopes of a £56bn mega-merger alive.

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

Disappointment over US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke’s failure to offer clear signals of imminent economy boosting measures sent the FTSE 100 Index into the red today.

The London market lost ground today as investors eyed events in the eurozone at the start of another vital week in its battle for survival.

World markets came under pressure today as gloomy comments from the head of the European Central Bank offset optimism surrounding emergency action taken to boost the UK and eurozone economies.

Shares in commodities giant Glencore fell nearly 4% today amid fears a mega-merger with Xstrata will collapse.

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

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.

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.

Fresh worries about the eurozone debt crisis and the UK economy meant London’s blue chip shares index struggled to make significant gains 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.

Dozens of protesters stormed an office in London's West End today.

World markets continued to suffer big losses today after the Greek Prime Minister announced a shock referendum on a vital aid package and fuelled fresh fears for the future of the eurozone.

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.

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

The London market slumped 2% today as the increasing likelihood of a Greek debt default shook investor confidence.

The FTSE 100 Index continued its rebound today as positive jobs and manufacturing data from the US ensured a last minute push into the black.

Fears over the global economic climate troubled traders today as European markets fell further into the red.

The London market ended slightly higher as lower oil prices hit the energy sector and overshadowed a strong session for UK insurers.

Commodities giant Glencore will tonight become the first company in 25 years to be fast-tracked into London’s FTSE 100 Index after official trading in its shares got under way today.

Commodities giant Glencore has been valued at more than £36bn (€41bn) after dealings in London’s biggest stock market listing got under way today.

Commodities giant Glencore has been valued at more than £36bn (€40bn) after dealings in London’s biggest stock market listing got under way today.

World markets saw a turnaround in fortunes today after better-than-expected jobs data from the United States calmed nerves about the global economy.

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

The chief executive of commodities trading giant Glencore will own a stake in the firm worth around £6bn (€6.7bn) when it launches on the Stock Exchange this month.

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.

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.

Mining stocks held the FTSE 100 Index above the 6000 barrier today as copper prices hit a record high.

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

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.

Mining stocks weighed the FTSE 100 Index down today amid fears that further Chinese monetary tightening will choke demand.

The London market pushed ahead today as strong gains for microchip designer ARM and engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce helped offset more retail woe.

The FTSE 100 Index showed little appetite for finishing the year above 6,000 today, despite some better economic news from the United States.

There were gains on both sides of the Atlantic today as positive sentiment helped stocks shake off eurozone concerns.

The London market edged forward today as takeover talk provided the main focus on an otherwise slow day for traders.

Inflationary concerns at home and abroad hit investors’ confidence today as the London market slumped by more than 1%.

Royal Bank of Scotland slumped more than 4% today as investors reacted to fears about the bank's exposure to the financial crisis in Ireland.

The FTSE 100 Index pressed ahead today on the back of a strong show from the oil and gas sector and a weaker US dollar.

Scottish & Southern Energy's plans to raise gas bills by 9.4% fuelled gains among blue chip utility stocks today.

The London market closed lower today as investors feared US Federal Reserve plans to inject more cash into the economy may fall short of expectations.

The FTSE 100 Index climbed higher today as mining stocks benefited from a weakened dollar after a meeting of G20 finance chiefs failed to offer any specific measures to strengthen the greenback.