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A look back at the world's business news during 2000. The year will be remembered in business terms as the one in which the internet 'dot com' bubble inflated to colossal proportions before exploding with a very loud bang. New York shares ended the year in December at prices lower than where they started the year in January. It's the first time that has happened in more than a decade. Vodafone expanded in Europe buying out German mobile phone operator, Mannesmann. Saudi Arabia's financial woes contributed to a leap in crude oil prices. After years of stagnation, Japanese restructuring and factory closures laid the foundations for economic recovery. The US Congress approved a deal to open up trade relations with China.

(Picture: Traders in the pit of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange work the floor as the financial markets swing wildly on 18 October 2000. Credit: Getty Images)