BP shares gush as Irish boss takes over

Shares in BP gushed by more than 4% after the oil giant surprised investors with a slight increase in its dividend, bucking the trend in what has otherwise been a bleak earnings season for big oil.

The move came ahead of Irishman Bernard Looney taking over the day-to-day running of the oil major. Mr Looney - a BP veteran who was born in Co Kerry and educated in UCD - formally takes over as BP CEO today.