The London market finished the week in lacklustre mood today after a fall for insurers Aviva and Prudential offset strong gains from Corus.

The FTSE 100 Index held firm today in a lacklustre session for shares in London as markets in the United States closed for the Independence Day holiday.

The FTSE 100 Index retreated from its six-week high today as the market lost momentum with the Independence Day break in the US.

Bid interest in British Gas owner Centrica reared up again today as investors took a punt on the possibility of a takeover move from Russia’s Gazprom.

Takeover talk involving two high-profile stocks kept investors from fretting today over the prospect of higher interest rates in the United States.

Takeover speculation drove the London market today as attention switched to the possibility of deals for music group EMI and steel giant Corus.

Corus shares leapt by as much as 6% on the London stock exchange today as investors bet that the Anglo Dutch group will be the next steel company in line for a takeover.

A series of multibillion dollar acquisitions gave Wall Street a modest advance today although many investors remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates later in the week.

Investors were in nervous mood today ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on US interest rates later this week.

A rush of dealmaking activity stirred investors during a steady session for the London market today.

Mittal Steel was today said to be preparing to increase its offer for Arcelor to more than £18bn to beat off rival interest from Russia.

The battle between the world’s two largest steel companies intensified today when Mittal Steel urged Arcelor shareholders to resist an alternative tie-up in Russia.

London’s leading shares ended a volatile week on the front foot today rallying more than 100 points.

World markets showed signs of steadying today as fears over rising inflation began to recede.

The FTSE 100 Index ended a torrid week in negative territory today as continued uncertainty swept through the Square Mile.

British Airways and British Gas owner Centrica experienced contrasting fortunes during another volatile session for London investors today.

Shares in London took a hammering today with the biggest percentage fall since March 2003.

Following a positive start to trading the London market was back in the red today as profit taking at a number of blue chips and the threat of higher interest rates offset a recovery in the mining sector.

Strong gains by steel maker Corus were offset by a bout of profit taking as the FTSE 100 Index struggled for direction today.

The London market continued to hover below the 6000 barrier today despite merger speculation driving shares in steel-maker Corus higher.

The FTSE 100 Index slipped into the red today as it gave up early gains which had seen it power through the 6000 mark.

The steel giant owned by British-based tycoon Lakshmi Mittal was today facing a battle to convince European powerbrokers of the merits of its £12.7bn (€18.5bn) bid for Arcelor.

A flurry of takeover activity boosted optimism in London today as the FTSE 100 Index soared to levels not seen for more than four years.

British-based tycoon Lakshmi Mittal sought to extend his steel empire today with a dramatic £12.7bn (€18.5bn) move to merge the industry’s two biggest operators.

A £12.7bn (€18.5bn) takeover proposal from steel giant Mittal helped fuel European markets and lift the FTSE 100 Index to its best level since 2001 today.

FRENCH stocks including Suez slipped yesterday, although Arcelor and Air Liquide gained.

FRENCH stocks climbed, paced by companies whose earnings or sales beat estimates, including Alcatel, France Telecom, Pernod Ricard and Arcelor.

Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin tonight named France’s first centre-right Cabinet in five years, selecting a veteran diplomat to lead the Foreign Ministry and for the first time a woman as head of defence.