A new era in consumer electronics in the UK begins today when Carphone Warehouse and the owner of Currys and PC World join forces under a £3.9 billion merger.

A new era in consumer electronics begins today when Carphone Warehouse and the owner of Currys and PC World join forces under a £3.9bn (€4.9m) merger.

Carphone Warehouse said it was approaching its £3.6bn (€4.50bn) tie-up with the owner of PC World and Currys from a “position of strength” as the two merger partners delivered separate results for the final time today.

Carphone Warehouse and the owner of Currys and PC World have announced a merger deal valuing the combined business at around £3.7bn.

A merger of Dixons Retail Group and Carphone Warehouse would create an electronics giant with an estimated market value of £3.6bn.

The owner of Currys and PC World unveiled its vision of the "urban toy shop" today with the opening of a high-tech store at a major UK shopping centre.

Hellmann’s and Dove soap maker Unilever topped the FTSE 100 Index risers board today after impressing investors with third quarter trading figures.

A raft of economic data from the US and China fuelled fears over the global economic recovery today and hit confidence on the London market.

The owner of PC World and Currys offered some cheer from the embattled sector today as it posted a 15% hike in UK & Ireland profits after a rebound in sales.

London’s leading index was broadly flat today as fears over Europe’s banks were offset by a strong consumer confidence survey on the other side of the Atlantic.

Sainsbury’s topped London’s leading shares index after revealing better-than-expected sales on an otherwise lacklustre day for the market.

A drop in oil prices triggered by a joint US and UK move to release strategic reserves pulled energy stocks and the wider FTSE 100 Index into the red today.

A retail boss credited with helping PC World and Currys stores survive the downturn has been poached by technology giant Apple to run its portfolio of retail shops.

World markets slipped into the red today after a scheme to boost liquidity and ease the eurozone debt crisis failed to settle traders’ nerves.

The London market’s longest losing streak in nine years looked set to continue today after fresh eurozone debt fears eroded confidence.

The Christmas retail reporting season created more winners and losers today as the wider market eased back from yesterday’s fresh two-and-a-half year high.

Commodity and banking stocks briefly pushed the FTSE 100 Index past the 5900 mark today before it slipped back again.

The FTSE 100 Index returned above the 5900 barrier today as the London market overcame the impact of the UK's big freeze on travel and retail stocks.