Dividend cheer for the 3m shareholders of Lloyds Banking Group and other strong corporate earnings spurred the Ftse to a new record yesterday.

Views on just what good-value hotel deals online bookers are getting are being sought by fair trading chiefs in the UK.

The owners of Holiday Inn have seen an 11% rise in profits.

The operator of Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels deflected attention away from a probe by regulators as it announced a big pay-out for shareholders.

Equity investors wishing to cash in on the London Olympics can take their pick from British hotels, advertisers or retailers — history suggests the FTSE 100 could shine in the following 12 months.

The London market surrendered earlier gains as oil prices surged after fears that Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, could be rocked by a political uprising.

Holiday Inn firm Intercontinental Hotels Group today set out plans to create 3,000 jobs in the UK, as it reported a 22% hike in half-year profits.

The London market stemmed its losses today as worries over the Greek debt crisis were eased by better news from the US and healthy corporate results.

The London market dipped into the red today amid jitters on Wall Street and signs of energy market fallout from the conflict between Russia and Georgia.

Banking stocks ended the final full trading session of the year on the back foot today as fears over the sector’s fortunes sent shares down.

London's blue-chip index was today stuck in negative territory following the latest gloomy survey on the UK housing market.

Holiday Inn unveiled plans for a new look today as part of a £500m (€720m) makeover set to include its own trademark lobby fragrance.

The London market moved closer to the 6,600 barrier today, despite losses from property stocks after British Land shelved the sale of a stake in Meadowhall shopping mall.

The London market experienced more turbulence today as the FTSE 100 Index dived more than 100 points into the red.

The £10bn (€14.9bn) takeover of hotels giant Hilton prompted investors in London to go on a shopping spree for other shares in the sector today.

Hotel and leisure stocks helped buoy the London market today after a multi-billion pound takeover deal in the industry drew investors to the sector.

THE FTSE 100 Index fell for the fifth day in six. InterContinental Hotels Group paced declines after Deutsche Bank cut its share-price forecast.

Outgoing Safeway chairman David Webster will be at the helm of two companies while the supermarket’s takeover saga is completed, it emerged today.