The British government today insisted the UK needed nuclear power as it prepared to unveil plans to fast-track a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Investors took home some of their profits today as the London market slipped into the red and financial stocks fell after last week’s surge.

Centrica shares raced ahead today as investors backed its £2.3bn (€2.55bn) deal for a 20% stake in future nuclear generation projects in the UK.

Centrica and France’s EDF were today reported to be on the brink of a deal that will give the British Gas owner an entrance into the nuclear sector.

The FTSE 100 Index bounded more than 2% ahead today as better-than-expected first quarter figures from US giant JP Morgan Chase gave banks a further boost.

The FTSE 100 Index drifted downwards today with little momentum for trading in the approach to the Christmas break.

The FTSE 100 Index struggled to make headway today as worries over the impact of an alleged 50 billion US dollar (£33 billion) Wall Street fraud weighed on the market.

The London market gained ground today as banks shrugged off an alleged $50bn (€37.14bn) Wall Street fraud.

BT Group shares lost 24% of their value today after the telecoms giant reported a major blow to earnings at its global services division.

The £12.5bn (€15.8bn) takeover of British Energy saw its shares shine today in an otherwise lacklustre session for the London market.

French group EDF today agreed a £12.5bn (€15.8bn) takeover of British Energy in a move set to kick-start the UK's nuclear power strategy.

French energy firm EDF was today said to be close to winning the shareholder support it needs to seal a £12bn (€15bn) takeover of British Energy.

The FTSE 100 Index slid more than 2% today as some miserable high street results did nothing to ease fears of a looming UK recession.

Blue chip stocks ended the session in negative territory today as concerns over the US economy added to HSBC’s profits gloom.

British Gas parent Centrica confirmed today that it was considering a merger with British Energy if the EDF takeover deal falls through.

The London market made slight headway today despite more hefty writedowns for banking giant HSBC.

The FTSE 100 Index was forced onto the back foot today after stocks were dealt a late blow by poor economic news from the US.

Shares in nuclear power generator British Energy were down 4% today after the company failed to reach a takeover agreement with French suitor EDF.

Plans for the next generation of UK nuclear power stations faced uncertainty today after France’s EDF failed to agree a takeover of British Energy.

A much-needed rally for banking stocks helped power the FTSE 100 Index to a gain of more than 2.5% today.

The auction of nuclear power firm British Energy suffered a blow today after it emerged one of the potential suitors had pulled out of the running.

Nuclear power firm British Energy today dismissed a series of takeover approaches as not “representing shareholder value”.

The Bank of England’s decision to keep interest rates at 5% failed to hold back banking and property stocks from making advances on the London market today.

The London market endured a turbulent start to the week today as bank shares came under pressure following a profits warning from lender Bradford & Bingley.

Blue-chip stocks gained ground in London today as market nerves were eased by falling crude oil prices.

French industrial group Suez confirmed today it was no longer involved in talks over a possible bid for UK nuclear power provider British Energy.

Record profits and a return to dividend payments from British Airways helped put the London market on the front foot today.

London trading enjoyed a buoyant end to the week today after investors were cheered by better-than-expected results from British Airways.

Oil stocks underpinned progress for the London market today as takeover talk gave a helping hand to retailers.

Shares in retail stocks jumped ahead today as investors reacted to speculation over possible takeover interest in B&Q owner Kingfisher.

London’s blue-chips shed more than 1% today after soaring oil prices and losses for heavyweight sectors undermined trading.

The London market was knocked back today as oil continued its record run and investors braced themselves for big losses on Wall Street.

Reassuring news from the high street saw retailers take the starring role today during an otherwise subdued London session.

The London market ended the week on a high today as stocks soared on the back of some good economic news from the US.

News of a multi-billion deal in the confectionery sector and better-than-expected results from Whitbread helped consumer stocks make strong advances on the London market today.

German utility E.ON today signalled it could join the race for up-for-sale nuclear power group British Energy.

Takeover speculation and a quarter point cut in interest rates failed to lift the FTSE 100 Index out of the red today.

Fresh bid talk over British Energy failed to keep the London market out of the red today ahead of interest rate decisions from central banks.

Nuclear power station operator British Energy was today said to be weighing up an £11bn (€13.7bn) takeover approach from German utility business RWE.

The London market dropped back below the 6000 barrier today as concerns over house prices brought the recent rally to an end.

UK housebuilders and banking stocks were under pressure today after the Halifax said house prices fell by 2.5% last month.

The London market closed above the psychologically key 6000 barrier for the first time since February today thanks to strong gains in the mining sector and hopes of another cut in interest rates.

The FTSE 100 Index touched the 6000 barrier today after the London market benefited from a surge by shares in the mining sector.

The London market overcame fresh worries about the state of the US economy to close near the 6,000 barrier today.