Takeover talk surrounding a raft of blue chip stocks was not enough to offset the impact of a stronger dollar on commodity shares today as the London market edged lower.

The FTSE 100 Index was dragged lower by commodity stocks today as results from blue-chip miner Eurasian Natural Resources fuelled fears over the recovery.

Mining firms led the FTSE 100 Index lower by midday today as the takeover buzz in the sector fizzled out in London and metal prices dipped.

BP kept the FTSE 100 Index in positive territory today after shares jumped 7% on takeover and deal speculation involving the beleaguered oil major.

The FTSE 100 Index lost ground for the second session in a row today after US home sales plunged to a record low during May.

Parts of Britain were as cold as a domestic freezer today as the big chill tightened its grip.

Britons endured more travel chaos today as snow blanketed much of the country, with airports shut, roads closed and train journeys cancelled.

The London market struggled for direction today as the UK's Pre-Budget Report failed to shock while concerns continued over the world economic recovery.

The FTSE 100 Index dipped into negative territory today after poor earnings from US groups General Electric and Bank of America knocked investor confidence.

Further pressure on banking stocks and more mixed economic data combined to keep the FTSE 100 Index close to its opening mark today.

The London market remained stuck in first gear today, despite strong gains on Wall Street last night after US interest rates were cut to near zero.

Shares in transport firms were plunged into reverse today after blue-chip firm Stagecoach warned `

Stagecoach shares went into reverse today after the transport company warned of downward pressure on profits in its rail division.

The FTSE 100 Index’s six-day winning streak came to an end today as investors took profits after recent gains.

The FTSE 100 Index jumped 8% today as hopes for another round of interest rate cuts led to the third biggest gain in the benchmark’s history.

London’s FTSE 100 Index surged 5% today after banks and insurers enjoyed strong gains on expectations of further heavy interest rate cuts.

Broadcaster ITV and Carphone Warehouse are to be evicted from the FTSE 100 Index after the latest quarterly reshuffle, it was confirmed today.

The FTSE 100 Index reached its highest point for nearly two months today as better-than-expected US growth figures cheered traders.

Stronger banking stocks helped shelter the London market from concerns about the impact of tropical storm Gustav today.

Royal Bank of Scotland today struck a £3.6bn (€4.5bn) deal to sell the UK’s biggest train leasing company.

Flash flooding will continue throughout the week as more bands of wet weather sweep across Britain, the Environment Agency warned today.

Train and bus operator Stagecoach said today it was on track for stronger-than-expected profits after revenues soared at its rail division.

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.

The leader of the UK train drivers’ union claimed today he had lost day-to-day control of his organisation because of a bitter power struggle with his executive.

Blue-chip stocks will be back on the radar of UK market analysts this week when a clutch of heavyweight companies issues results or trading statements. In particular, the banking sector will be in focus.

Britain today faced the threat of wider industrial action while a senior Labour MP said slow investment in transport has left the country with the worst railways in Europe.

Transport group Stagecoach was counting the cost of the US terrorist crisis today as its New York coach business faced up to major disruption.

The FTSE-100 Index is off 44.2 points in light trading as dealers await this week's decision on interest rates.

Blue-chip stocks are under pressure again as the FTSE-100 Index entered the second quarter of the year with a loss of 47.7 points.

A hefty 10% share rise by Rolls-Royce is helping London shares to shrug off poor sentiment from overseas markets.