Investors in the London stock market were hoping for another bullish year today after a strong rally in 2005 saw the FTSE 100 Index rise 16.7% and shares outperform house prices for the first time since 1999.

Manager Rafael Benitez may have gone some way to restoring Liverpool’s fortunes on the pitch but chairman David Moores still faces the same financial problems off it he did 12 months ago.

The price of gold hit an 18-year high today after Russia revealed plans to double the quantity held in its central reserves.

There was a sense of deja-vu on the trading floors of London today when the market fell sharply into the red for the second session in a row.

Shares in aerospace group Rolls-Royce soared more than 10% today after it boosted its dividend and half-year profits.

Soaring energy costs continued to haunt world markets today after the price of crude oil surged to another new high above $60 a barrel.

City experts have forecast continuing sell-outs at Manchester United despite claims Malcolm Glazer is planning to raise ticket prices by more than 50% over the next five years.

The National Football League have admitted Manchester United’s plans to build a casino next to Old Trafford is a “potential issue” for new owner Malcolm Glazer.

A LEADING analyst yesterday tried to allay fears that Manchester United, under Malcolm Glazer, are heading for a financial meltdown similar to Leeds.

US sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer today said he had acquired enough shares to take Manchester United private.

B&Q owner Kingfisher highlighted the struggle facing UK retailers today as it warned first quarter profits were likely to be 15% lower than in 2004.

London’s FTSE 100 Index sank to a new three-month low today as fears of a technology slowdown continued to weigh on investors.

Rebel French shareholders ousted Eurotunnel’s management with typical Gallic fervour in Paris a year ago today.

It was the boom that promised to make millions rich – yet five years to the day from the peak of the dotcom fervour, investors are still counting the cost.

Marks & Spencer shares were trading lower today after two days of speculation over bid interest involving a South African businessman came to an end.

Marks & Spencer today dramatically slashed its forecasts for annual profits after it was forced to make deep price cuts to clear excess Christmas stock.

Former UK supermarket powerhouse Sainsbury’s hit a new low in its 135-year history today after announcing losses for the first time.

Jitters over the closeness of the US presidential election and high oil prices hampered the London market’s progress today.

The Manchester United takeover saga took another twist tonight when it emerged sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer had raised his stake in the club to 25.3% at a cost of around £44m (€63m).

Oil prices stood just a fraction off their recent record high today as disruption in Iraq and the effect of the hurricane season took their toll.

Silk Cut owner Gallaher today posted a 4.4% rise in profits, despite what the company said was the negative impact on sales of the smoking ban in Ireland and higher taxes on cigarettes in Germany.

Shares in Sainsbury’s surged more than 5% today as speculation circulated in London that it may soon face a takeover bid.

British Airways shares made healthy gains today as the first session since the company averted a costly Bank Holiday strike brought cheer for investors.

British banking group Abbey National is in takeover talks with Spanish bank Banco Santander Central Hispano, it emerged today.

Shares in troubled banking group Abbey National soared 16% today after it confirmed it had received a takeover approach.

Shares in Marks & Spencer fell 6% today after retail entrepreneur Philip Green walked away from the battle to land the struggling high street group.

Technology stocks were under pressure today after software group Misys said conditions remained challenging in its key banking and finance markets.

Speculation that British home furnishings retailer MFI could be taken over and broken up swirled around the City today as shares leapt 4%.

The prospect of a drawn-out battle for ownership of Marks & Spencer grew today after the retailer came out fighting against Bhs owner Philip Green.

A statement issued tonight by M&S after an announcement by retail tycoon Philip Green that he plans to launch a bid for the chain read: “The Board of Marks and Spencer Group notes the announcement made by Revival Acquisitions Limited."

ARSENAL, Chelsea and Manchester United each earned more than stg£53 million from television and prize money last season – at least stg£20m more than any of their rivals in the Barclaycard Premiership — and heralding the rise of a new breed of super-rich club.

A LEADING financial expert believes Manchester United’s board of directors as well as manager Alex Ferguson could be forced out following the turf war with John Magnier and JP McManus.

Reports of a mixed Christmas for retailers were borne out today by figures from some of the biggest names on the UK high street.

Leeds are believed to be close to finalising a short-term rescue package designed to stave off the imminent threat of administration.

Investors received further Christmas cheer today after the FTSE 100 Index stretched its run of gains to a seventh consecutive session.

The bomb blasts in Istanbul prompted a sharp sell-off in shares in London today as traders feared a renewed bout of terrorist activity.

Carlton boss Michael Green’s hopes of surviving a shareholder coup over who runs an enlarged ITV company were dealt a potentially fatal blow today.

Friends Provident is expected to update investors on the impact of an impending shake-up in the financial services industry when it reveals its maiden full-year results next Wednesday.

The European Central Bank has held interest rates at 3.25%.

In the City, experts said that, after its initial fall, the market would now pause for breath and see how the military action unfolded.

Investors were given an early boost today as the FTSE 100 Index of blue-chip stocks reversed almost all of the losses recorded on Friday.

Marconi is worth £400m less after shares lost 28% as the stock dived 15p to just 38p.

The Bank of England has cut the base rate from 5.5% to 5.25% - its lowest level since October, 1999.

The Bank of England looks set to cut interest rates when it meets this week as evidence mounts that the UK is facing a slowdown, economists predicted today.