The FTSE 100 was trading at its highest level since early August this morning, as optimism over the crisis in Europe continued to cheer investors.

Shares in oil giant BP soared to their highest level in more than two months today after the group agreed a $4bn settlement with oil and gas exploration group Anadarko Petroleum over the Gulf of Mexico disaster.

Top performing UK fund managers including Ed Legget at Standard Life Investments and PSigma's Bill Mott have been buying up mining stocks in recent weeks following a major market sell-off.

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has been labelled the "most vulnerable" bank in Europe by Credit Suisse, in a note which also warns it may need further state aid.

The week has once again been dominated by the eurozone crisis, with a crucial meeting taking place today, while the regulator has warned the Arch cru debacle may not be anyone's fault.

Internet giant Google has revealed profits surged 26% in the third quarter, with net income jumping from $2.17bn to $2.73bn year on year.

Standard & Poor's has delivered another blow to sentiment across Europe after cutting Spain's long-term credit rating by one notch, from AA to AA-.

Peter Mandelson, the Labour party peer and former European Commissioner, has warned Europe is facing not one but four crises which policymakers must tackle.

With investors concerned about the propsects for payouts from UK stocks amid the worsening economic environment, Shore Capital has identified stocks from every sector in the market which should be able to grow their dividends.

Fidelity's Income fund manager Michael Clark is at odds with Sanjeev Shah, manager of the group's £2.4bn Special Situations fund, on banks shares, urging investors to avoid the sector.