A rebound for London shares on hopes that Greece’s pro-euro parties are seeing a pick-up in support prior to next month’s elections proved short-lived today.

The continued political stalemate in Greece triggered more heavy falls for world markets today as party leaders failed to make progress forming a coalition government.

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.

Supermarket giant Tesco failed to win over investors with its £1bn plan to revive its UK arm today as the grocer followed world markets into the red.

A rise in Spain’s borrowing costs today fuelled fears about the eurozone debt crisis and triggered a sell-off on world markets.

Rising oil prices and optimism that Greece will be saved from a calamitous default helped drive London’s leading shares index closer to the 6000 mark today.

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.

London's FTSE 100 Index held firm today despite another rocky session for banks as worries mounted over a possible debt default in the US.

London's FTSE 100 Index slumped more than 1% today after US figures showed weaker-than-expected growth in the second quarter.

Fresh concerns over the fragility of America’s recovery weighed on stocks today as the FTSE 100 Index suffered a second session in the red.

A strong opening on America’s benchmark share index helped secure gains on the FTSE 100 Index today as global markets rallied higher.

Financial and mining stocks dominated the blue-chip risers board today as investors displayed a renewed appetite for risk.

BP shares slumped more than 4% today after the oil giant was punished for its failure to meet the City’s estimates on fourth quarter profits.

There were mixed emotions for investors today as the decade concluded with the FTSE 100 Index registering its best annual performance since 1997.

Royal Bank of Scotland shares slumped 13% today after weaker-than-expected results exploded the recent mood of optimism in the bank sector.

The British taxpayer was sitting on an estimated £1.2bn (1.4bn) paper profit on its stake in Royal Bank of Scotland today as the rally in the financial sector continued apace.

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.

Positive broker comment lifted media and water companies today as the FTSE 100 Index clung on to recent gains.

The FTSE 100 stayed in the red today despite the continued rally in bank shares.

Another dire day for blue-chip stocks saw the FTSE 100 Index plunge more than 5% today to hit its lowest level in more than five years.

The FTSE 100 Index reached its highest point for nearly two months today as better-than-expected US growth figures cheered traders.

A much-needed rally for banking stocks helped power the FTSE 100 Index to a gain of more than 2.5% today.

Waste collection and recycling firm Biffa agreed to be taken over today in a private equity deal valuing the company at more than £1.2bn (€1.61).

Banking stocks ended the final full trading session of the year on the back foot today as fears over the sector’s fortunes sent shares down.

Reassuring news from banking giant Barclays and stronger-than-expected early trading on Wall Street helped limit falls on the London market today.

Severn Trent today said costs associated with the summer’s flooding crisis washed away profits growth in the first half of its financial year.

Parts of the UK remain in the grip of flooding today, with further surges expected on the River Thames and more than 340,000 people facing the prospect of two weeks without fresh water.

London’s blue-chips were under pressure today as key UK inflation data left investors fearing another imminent interest rate rise.

The FTSE 100 Index edged towards 6100 today as traders were left unmoved by Gordon Brown’s tenth Pre-Budget Report.

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.

The London market made further progress today as the Dow Jones Industrial Average traded above 12,000 for the second session running in New York.

London’s leading shares shrugged off fears over North Korea’s nuclear test today as rising oil prices and pharmaceutical firms took centre stage.

London bucked the downward trend for world markets today as investors in the UK reacted calmly to the news of a nuclear test in North Korea.

The London market continued to build on its five-month high today as utility companies took centre stage and investors cheered another record performance on Wall Street.

Internet gambling stocks dragged the London market into the red today in the wake of anti-gaming legislation passed in the US.

Hopes of consolidation among water utilities drove the London market forwards today after Anglian Water owner AWG said it had received an approach from a potential bidder.

Newly-created pharmacy giant Alliance Boots, formed by the merger of Boots and Alliance UniChem, debuted on a weakening London market today.

Confidence in gaming shares was rocked today by charges laid against the operator BetonSports and its chief executive David Carruthers.

Takeover talk involving two high-profile stocks kept investors from fretting today over the prospect of higher interest rates in the United States.

The FTSE 100 Index fell back below the 5700 mark today despite excitement over strong figures from Severn Trent and the proposed sale of airports operator BAA.

Plans by water supplier Severn Trent to spin off its Biffa waste management business kept the FTSE 100 Index above the 6000 mark today.

The uncertain run by the FTSE 100 Index continued today when early gains of more than 35 points were wiped out following a weak start in New York.

Investors pulled their money out of the London market today after taking fright at a sharp sell-off in Japan and weak results from US technology giants.

Signs that retailers enjoyed a better-than-expected Christmas season helped push the FTSE 100 Index to a fresh four-year high today.