IRISH shares finished the week in negative territory yesterday, closing down almost 4% yesterday as bank shares again plunged.

Shares in Halifax Bank of Scotland closed 21% higher on London's FTSE index tonight amid hopes a rescue takeover by Lloyds TSB will go ahead as planned.

Halifax Bank of Scotland’s shares surged ahead today amid a revival in confidence over its rescue takeover by Lloyds TSB.

Confidence in the banking sector received a fresh blow today after Swiss bank Credit Suisse revealed further write-downs.

Rogue trader Jerome Kerviel was today being blamed for aggravating the turmoil that saw tens of billions of pounds wiped off the UK stock exchange earlier this week.

More than £40bn was wiped off the value of UK blue chip shares today as stocks nose-dived amid fresh fears over the credit crisis.

Oil prices reached another record high today as persistent supply concerns saw the psychologically important 100 US-dollars-a-barrel level come back into view.

Fears are mounting today of sharp drops in share prices when the London market opens tomorrow as last week’s falls on Wall Street renewed concerns of a repeat of Black Monday.

Banking giant Barclays today gave a reassuring update on the performance of its investment banking arm during the recent credit squeeze.

Crisis-hit Northern Rock's shares hit a new record low today on the 10th anniversary of its stock market flotation.

Northern Rock shares were back under pressure today amid speculation that the troubled bank had received takeover offers worth less than £1 billion.

The crisis facing Northern Rock has intensified speculation that the bank will shortly be sold off.

Copper prices tumbled below $6,000 a tonne today, sending shares in the mining sector down as much as 5%.

The London market finished the week in negative territory today as weakness for the US dollar met head on with a cautious report on the banking sector.

At the end of a fractious week in the media industry, ITV is still rudderless, BSkyB almost £1bn (€1.47bn) poorer and NTL in a state of limbo.

The London market was a sea of red today as investors took the chance to secure profits after a recent strong run.

Shares in Marks & Spencer closed at a record high tonight after booming sales raised the prospect of a return to its halcyon days of billion pound profits.

Technology-based stocks took a battering today after a profits warning from bluetooth chip maker CSR.

More than £34bn was wiped off the value of the UK’s leading companies today as the FTSE 100 Index plunged 2.4% lower.

Shares in London took a hammering today with the biggest percentage fall since March 2003.

Debenhams shares were priced at the bottom end of expectations today as the retailer returned to the market after an absence of more than two years.

Debenhams prepared to list on the London stock market for the third time today after a spell away from the limelight proved profitable for owners and managers.

The FTSE 100 Index touched its highest level for more than five years today amid signs that interest rates in the United States may be near their peak.

Top flight shares ended the week on a new two-and-a-half-year high today after investors kept faith in Marks & Spencer.

Losses by oil stocks and a surprise interest rate hike in China took their toll on the London market today, leaving it on course for a lacklustre end to the week.

The Bank of England is set to give homeowners a break from higher mortgage costs this week by keeping interest rates on hold.

Virgin Mobile may be forced to cut its flotation price because of a lacklustre response from investors, it was reported today.

London shares came under the cosh today from growing nervousness about interest rate rises in the world’s biggest economy.

The London market struggled to find positive momentum today amid downbeat news from the banking sector and housing market worries.

The London stock market suffered its worst session in more than a month today as worries over US interest rates and oil prices hit confidence.

Shares in Manchester United climbed to a new three-year high today amid fresh speculation over a takeover of the Premiership champions.

London’s FTSE 100 Index closed at a new 15-month high today after investors cheered another set of upbeat economic figures.

BRITAIN’S leading share index is on course for the 4,200 points level this week with attention focused on results from telecom giant BT, media firms Granada and Carlton Communications and fresh merger activity.

The FTSE 100 Index was staring at its 12th consecutive fall today as it tumbled back to earth after an early 60 point surge.

THE FTSE 100 Index enjoyed its best day for almost three months today as the value of Britain’s biggest companies soared

The FTSE 100 Index enjoyed its best day for almost three months today as the value of Britain’s biggest companies soared by £42bn (€66.5bn).

LONDON’S FTSE 100 Index hit a new six-year low yesterday as stock markets around the world stumbled once more during a depressing start to the week.

Vodafone has today denied it is delaying the roll-out of 3G mobile phone services.

The London market slid lower today, falling back from three sessions of gains as banks, telecoms and drug stocks slipped.

UK Investors were today given some relief from last week’s woes as the FTSE 100 Index pushed ahead during morning trading.