The FTSE 100 Index paused for breath today after its recent shares rally as commodity stocks posted heavy falls.

Commodity stocks led London's blue-chip share index lower today as investors paused for breath after a recent strong rally.

London's FTSE 100 Index fell into the red today as the rally in the banking sector fizzled out and investors looked to secure profits from recent gains.

The London market’s recent rally ran out of steam by noon today despite further progress for resurgent UK banks and a decent session among miners.

London’s blue chip share index struggled amid further volatile trading today as markets failed to shrug off eurozone concerns.

Shares in Barclays and HSBC moved in opposite directions today, despite steady trading updates from the heavyweight banking pair.

Fears over Royal Bank of Scotland's plans to sell parts of its business to appease European concerns sent its shares tumbling today ahead of tomorrow's bank restructure announcement.

Royal Bank of Scotland suffered an 8% tumble today following news that it would have to offload greater-than-expected chunks of its business as part of negotiations over state aid.

Directories group Yell today said it had finally won sufficient support from lenders to press ahead with plans to refinance its £3.8bn (€4.2bn) debt mountain.

The London market gained more than 1% today as investors hailed the end of recession in the United States.

The economic storm clouds lifted for the London market today after figures signalled the end of recession in the United States.

Better than expected third-quarter results from oil major BP helped offset hefty bank share falls on the London market today.

A smaller-than-expected fall in third-quarter profits ensured oil giant BP surged to the top of the London market’s risers board today.

The London market slipped into losses today after a big jump in US oil supplies fuelled concerns over weak energy demand.

London's FTSE 100 Index touched the 5000 mark for the first time in almost a year today as investor confidence showed little sign of waning.

Disappointing economic readings in the US sent London's FTSE 100 Index into the red today after a poor final session of the second quarter.

Consolidation hopes in the mining sector failed to drag the London market out of the red today as lower oil prices weighed.

The London market’s recent recovery proved fragile today as blue-chip stocks slid almost 2% into the red.

The FTSE 100 Index was on the back foot today amid more bleak news for the retail sector in the run-up to Christmas.

Halifax Bank of Scotland led another positive session for banks on the FTSE today as investors welcomed Senate support for a new US financial rescue plan.

Shares in UK housebuilders took a fresh hit today after traders reported the sale of seven million shares in leading firm Barratt Developments.

Fears of an interest rate hike in the US failed to stop the London market from reaching a four-month high today as blue-chips were buoyed by some positive trading updates.

Investors put last week’s turmoil behind them today as the London market surged to gains of nearly 4%.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey and pest control firm Rentokil Initial were today facing the boot from London’s FTSE 100 Index.

London’s FTSE 100 Index fell more than 1% today after inflation concerns and a poor opening session in New York dampened sentiment.

Inflation fears and nerves ahead of the forthcoming banking results season combined to depress the London market today.

Strong gains in the mining sector helped the London market regain its poise today after yesterday’s heavy losses.

Blue chip stocks saw more heavy losses today as disappointment over the Bank of England’s quarter-point interest rate cut sent the London market plummeting 2.6%.

BT and Yell were punished by investors today after the telecoms-based pair provided the City with cause for concern in third quarter results.

British directories firm Yell soothed the nerves of investors today as it continued its battle against “fierce” competition in the United States.

A robust start to the interim results season failed to kickstart the London market today, with retailing and mining stocks among those on the back foot.

Yellow Pages firm Yell in the UK raised hopes today that it will be able to fend off strong competition in its United States market.

The London market suffered losses of near to 1% today after a poor finish on Wall Street took its toll.

Yell lost £800m of its market value today after warning that its Yellow Book business in United States faced intense competition.

A warning about intense competition in the United States caused shares in directories group Yell to dive by as much as 17% today.

Mining firms and weaker than expected inflation figures provided a boost to the London market today, offsetting declines from a host of property companies.

A takeover bid for Scottish Power and the dramatic appointment of a new boss at ITV failed to lift the London market today as a weakening US dollar continued to take its toll.

The FTSE 100 Index halted its recent slide today as investors clung to hopes that the market was over the worst of its dollar-led worries.

Marks & Spencer led the FTSE 100 Index forward today with a stellar performance as strong half-year figures from the resurgent retailer sent its shares to a record high.

The FTSE 100 Index powered through the 6,200 barrier today to close at its highest level since February 2001.

Gambling stocks were rocked for the second time in two months today.

Directories group Yell today said online revenues in the UK jumped 71% during an “outstanding” quarter for its Yell.com business.

Investors in Yell voiced their disappointment today with a £2.3 billion deal for a leading publisher of directories in Spain.

The FTSE 100 Index overcame a tentative start to move back within touching distance of the 5800 barrier today.