Dow Jones

The S&P 500 edged up to its highest close since 2008, boosted by better-than-expected reports on home sales and consumer sentiment.

US shares closed on Thursday at their highest since the 2008 financial crisis, after good news on unemployment figures boosted sentiment.

The FTSE 100 had fallen from its six-month high by mid afternoon, with investor sentiment taking a knock from the latest stumbling block in the Greek debt talks.

Shares across Asia dropped overnight as the ongoing Greek debacle continued to hit sentiment.

US markets were treading water this afternoon following a cautiously optimistic speech by US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

Stocks received a lift in afternoon trading as social networking giant Facebook prepares to make what could be one of the largest market debuts in history.

Three years into Barack Obama's term as US president, how do equity market returns under this administration compare with those seen under previous leaders?

European stocks advanced this afternoon following the US Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook, with miners driving the FTSE 100 to build on earlier gains.

The number of stocks on the US stock market has reached its lowest level since 2009 as companies cut back on share sales and buy back equity at the fastest pace in four years

The FTSE 100 closed at its highest level for over two months last night as world markets soared on the first day of trading in 2012.