Construction group Balfour Beatty today said its order book had reached a record £8.8bn (€13bn) while trading in its key sectors remained positive.

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.

The top flight finished today comfortably in the black, but failed to make up much of the week’s losses.