Banks helped lift London's leading index sharply higher today after Lloyds Banking Group boss Antonio Horta-Osorio received backing for his plans to overhaul the taxpayer-controlled bank.

A gloomy consumer confidence survey and bad news from Asian markets served to pull the FTSE 100 Index downwards today.

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 London market shrugged off eurozone debt fears today as the FTSE 100 Index pushed to a fresh two-and-a-half year high.

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

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

Blue-chip Old Mutual led the FTSE 100 Index higher today as miners also lent support on hopes that Australia’s election result will scupper a new super tax.

Heavyweight miners dragged the FTSE 100 Index lower today despite another bright session for many top-flight retailers.

Chancellor Alistair Darling’s pre-election Budget did little for the London market today despite slightly better news on the public finances.

The London market narrowly held on to Wednesday's 21-month high today despite falls for banks and miners as investors looked to take profits.

Heavyweight banking and mining stocks helped the FTSE 100 Index gain ground ahead of comments from the US Federal Reserve later today.

The FTSE 100 Index dropped back below the 5600 level today as concerns over moves to calm China’s economy hit mining stocks hard.

Global economic concerns hit stocks today and offset strong gains from blue chip retailers on London's leading share index.

The London market leapt to its highest level for 18 months today after US unemployment figures eased economic concerns about the world's biggest economy.

Concerns over the fragility of the US economic recovery sent stocks tumbling on both sides of the Atlantic today.

The FTSE 100 Index edged into positive territory today after news that the UK weakly emerged from its longest and deepest recession in the final quarter of 2009.

The London market’s six-day winning streak came to an end today as Royal Bank of Scotland led blue-chip shares lower.

The FTSE 100 Index limped into the black today as a better than expected start on Wall Street helped the London market claw back early losses.

A broker upgrade helped BT shares storm ahead today, but the wider market failed to make headway in lacklustre trading.

The London market finished virtually flat today as no-change rate decisions from central banks in the UK and Europe failed to make an impact.

The FTSE 100 Index struggled to make headway today in spite of a raft of broker upgrades and signs of life in the DIY sector.