Currys and PC World parent company DSG International today named the former boss of logistics business Exel as its next chairman.

Marts: A turnaround in beef prices at the factories has been confirmed with a majority of processing centres paying more for cattle last week.

HALF of the factories paid more for cattle last week (some increased by almost 3p/lb), while the balance paid the same or slightly less than the previous week as the kill surged to a three-year high.

Marts: Euro Farm Foods took over the lead on prices for R grade bullocks in last week’s kill as the supply of cattle to the factories tightened further.

Marts: While a few factories increased prices for R4L bullocks by almost 3 cents/kg (1p/lb), one-in-three factories paid lower returns or maintained the previous weeks level as processors reacted to the rising trend last week.

Marts: Kildare Chilling and Kepak (Watergrasshill) increased prices by an average of 1.5p/lb to top the improvements in prices paid for R4L bullocks last week to bring the averages at the individual plants to 109.6p/lb and 108.8p/lb respectively.

The UK’s largest homebuilder and a Kazakh copper mine were promoted to the FTSE 100 Index tonight at the expense of household names Whitbread and William Hill.

A planned strike by BP tanker drivers in a dispute over pensions has been postponed after progress was made during peace talks, it was announced today.

Logistics firm Exel today reported a strong trading performance as it finalises plans for a £3.7bn (€5.5bn) takeover by DHL owner Deutsche Post.

Cruise giant Carnival ensured the FTSE 100 Index sailed to a new four-high today by posting record profits for the summer season.

German postal and logistics company Deutsche Post AG today said it will take over the British-based Exel for €5.5bn.

Consumer goods giant Unilever ensured the FTSE 100 Index made a good start to the week today after speculation it was proposing a Shell-style unification.

German postal and logistics company Deutsche Post AG today said it will take over the British-based Exel for €5.5bn.

Losses by oil heavyweights and a spate of profit-taking brought the recent rally by the London market to an end today.

The London market resumed its rally today as investors continued their hunt for potential takeover candidates.

A strong run for the FTSE 100 Index came to an end today, despite the latest round of takeover speculation involving top-flight companies.

The London market paused for breath today at the end of a spectacular week of progress for the FTSE 100 Index.

A bid approach for Exel and positive results from drinks giant Diageo helped the FTSE 100 Index post strong gains for a third session in a row today.

A flurry of deal-making activity excited the London market today as the FTSE 100 Index continued its recovery towards the three-year highs seen last month.

DHL owner Deutsche Post has made an approach to buy the UK logistics group Exel in a deal that could be worth more than £3bn (€4.4bn), it emerged today.

Rising energy stocks put the FTSE 100 Index back within a whisker of the 5300 barrier today.

Concerns over the margins achieved by UK insurers helped drag the FTSE 100 Index into negative territory today.

Marts: Cull cow prices were steadier at the factories for last week’s kill and the scale of decline in prices for bullocks and heifers has eased.

Insurers provided a boost to the London market today as investors welcomed an upbeat set of results from Prudential.

Financial stocks dragged the top flight down today as uncertainty continued to dog the market after the latest terror attacks.

The FTSE 100 Index finished today back above the 5200 level as investors adopted a defiant mood after yesterday’s London bombings.

Shares in oil giant Shell surged 3% today as one of the FTSE’s biggest stocks prepared for the most important meeting in its 100-year history.

The FTSE 100 Index closed at highest level since mid-March today as oil and mining stocks gushed higher.

Marts: A hard sell by producers of beef animals maintained the average price at the factories, while individual factories paid up to 1p/lb more for R grade bullocks in a tight supply situation for the post-Easter trade.

The London market made modest gains today after lower oil prices offset the negative impact of several stocks going ex-dividend.

The FTSE 100 Index hugged the break-even mark today after a cluster of stocks going ex-dividend stymied progress.

Mining stocks were the talk of the London market today as the FTSE 100 Index languished in negative territory.

London shares closed in the red today as investors responded coolly to a major acquisition by BAE Systems and the end of Deutsche Boerse’s bid for the London Stock Exchange.

London shares overcame a significant strengthening by the pound today to end the week on a high note.

Lloyds TSB and road haulier Exel kept the London market in positive territory today after posting profits ahead of expectations.

Exel has been selected to provide a range of new logistics services for Lucent Technologies in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

The FTSE 100 Index closed at the 5000 barrier for the first time since 2002 today as Dulux owner ICI added the gloss to a positive day for blue-chip stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index showed no signs of losing its recent strength today as takeover speculation drove it to a new two-and-a-half year high.