Award-winning consultancy firm WS Atkins Ireland is doing well again after trading through the very difficult years of the recession.

Pre-tax profits at Cork-based consultancy firm WS Atkins last year increased by 24% to €193,199.

BP shares rose by 8% today despite the oil giant’s announcement that it will axe dividend payments for the first time since the Second World War.

Stock markets worldwide moved higher today after earnings cheer from US bank JP Morgan Chase confirmed a buoyant start to America's results season.

A surprise fundraising by Sainsbury’s in order to quicken the pace of its expansion caused shares in the supermarket to go into reverse today.

Barclays led a recovery for banking stocks today despite a nervous London market.

Around £1.2bn (€1.78bn) was wiped from BAE Systems shares today after the defence giant said it faced an anti-corruption probe by the US Department of Justice.

A private consortium in charge of upgrading London Underground stations and tracks today launched a formal bid to recover an estimated £1bn (€1.48bn) it believes it is owed for extra work carried out under its deal.

London’s leading shares ended the day in positive territory today despite a fall for British Airways after news of a competition blow.

The London market made strong gains today but shares in British Airways plummeted after an investigation was launched in the UK and US into alleged cartel activity.

The FTSE 100 Index plunged more than 160 points today as the City reacted to the string of explosions in the capital.

A string of broker upgrades helped put the FTSE 100 Index on course to set another three-year high today.

The FTSE 100 Index survived a late scare from across the Atlantic today to register its first positive finish of the week.

Relief at weaker crude prices was bolstering oil-dependent stocks today and helped move the FTSE 100 Index higher.

The London market shook off further weakness in the US dollar to recoup a chunk of its recent losses today.

Heavyweight stock Vodafone contributed to the negative mood in London today as shares in the mobile phone giant tumbled more than 2%.

Civil engineering group WS Atkins today showed the benefits of its recent shake-up with a sharp return to profitability.

Rising mortgage costs and the future direction of house prices will be a major consideration for British investors this week as banks and property-based firms are among those companies due to update the market.

Fans at the front of Manchester United’s Stretford End singing section face a 75% risk of a catastrophic accident when celebrating a goal – according to an explosive, previously unpublished report into standing in seated areas at Old Trafford.

London’s FTSE 100 Index crept closer to the 4000 barrier today as the market’s recent crisis of confidence continued.

Investors were again struggling to find positive news to lift the mood in London today as the FTSE 100 Index edged closer to the 4000 barrier.

Trinity Mirror said today it was dropping plans to recruit finance director Ric Piper from troubled PFI-bidder WS Atkins.

THE London market finished on a rare high note yesterday after an upbeat start on Wall Street boosted trading.

The London market finished on a rare high note today after an upbeat start on Wall Street boosted trading.