Ongoing worries about the health of the Chinese economy and another big sell-off in drug manufacturers pushed the US stock market back towards its lowest level of the year.

The London market struggled for direction today as Greece prepares for yet more crunch debt talks with its creditors in the wake of its No vote.

A crash in UK housing prices and Mario Draghi leaving the European Central Bank are among 10 “outrageous” predictions for 2015, according to Saxo Bank, which forecast the oil-price slump in a similar list last year.

Providence Resources could see a 500% jump in its share price this year if it successfully manages to conclude its mooted 40% farm-out at its highly-rated Barryroe field in the Celtic Sea, according to one London-based exploration analyst.

EGYPTIAN President Hosni Mubarak said he would step down in a few months once a successor is elected, a move that responds to massive street protests but which may not satisfy many who want him out now.

OIL prices look set to top $100 per barrel as fears of a Turkish invasion of northern Iraq mount.

OIL prices eased back below $59 a barrel as the market paused for breath following the record highs hit on Monday.

Oil prices surged above 49 US dollars a barrel today – their highest levels since the end of November – amid plunging temperatures in the US and fears of supply cuts.