London stock markets chalked-up the worst weekly performance since the 2008 financial crisis despite clawing back a fraction of lost territory in Friday trading as earlier strength flagged.The benchmark FTSE 100 index closed 2.5% up at 5,366.11 on Friday, cementing a near 18% weekly loss, the biggest since a 21% drop in October 2008. That slump made it the third week running of heavy declines as f

Under fire support services firm Carillion (CLLN) has buckled under the strain, entering into compulsory liquidation. Trading in the company's shares is suspended on Monday as accountants move in to salvage any saleable assets.You can read what the implications will be for shareholders in Shares news story here.The shock waves reverberate across the the sector with tools hire business Speedy Hire

London's blue-chips begin the session trading 2.2 points lower at 7,311.3, the markets having little to process besides last night's tax announcement from President Donald Trump.Budget airline Ryanair (RYA) weakens 1.4% to €16.88, the share price holding up surprisingly well given the raft of flight cancellations and schedule changes that have enraged customers and caused the Michael O'Leary-

Following yesterday's great results for Lloyds Bank (LLOY), another recipient of state intervention, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), is one of the top risers in early trading.The banks share price rises by just under 4% to 264p as it finally returns to profit, turning a £968m loss this time last year to a profit of £259m in the first quarter of the year.The bank is 72% owned by the government

Another hopeful is attempting to turn carbon-based 'super' material graphene into cash as Directa Plus (DCTA:AIM) joined the junior market on Friday. Given the patchy performance of others listed companies trying that same trick it is somewhat surprising that the Italian company has managed to raise £12.8 million from investors, priced at 75p per share. Even more eye-popping is the fact that earl