The London market marched ahead today as new banking regulations and reassuring Chinese data whetted investors’ appetite for risk.

Better-than-expected economic data in the United States provided a late session boost for London’s blue chip share index today.

Blue-chip banks were in focus on the London market today amid more news on bonuses as investors awaited annual results from the part-nationalised players.

Retail bellwethers Next and Marks & Spencer led strong gains on London's blue chip share index today as economic and corporate news buoyed stocks.

London’s blue chip share index powered on to a new 10-month high today as its 25-year record-breaking summer rally showed no sign of slowing.

The FTSE 100 Index built on its winning streak today as investors maintained the momentum that has seen the market reach a 10-month high.

Grocery packaging firm Bunzl today said profits were 37% lower in the UK and Ireland after the weak pound increased the cost of imported products.

The London market steadied today after the sell-off seen in the previous session on doubts over the strength of a global economic recovery.

Better-than-expected results from US banking giant Citigroup saw banks extend their rally today and helped the FTSE 100 Index hold firm above 4000.

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.

Packaging and outsourcing group Bunzl today warned that a "very difficult" economic climate would limit growth prospects in the UK and Ireland this year.

The FTSE 100 Index held on to its New Year rally today as retail cheer helped offset more bad news for the economy.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey and pest control firm Rentokil Initial were today facing the boot from London’s FTSE 100 Index.

The London market took heart from buoyant retail figures in the US today, as healthy employment levels also boosted the world's biggest economy.

Investors gave a cautious welcome to a fall in unemployment today as shares in London made steady progress.

London’s leading shares made gains today as a positive end to trading on Wall Street last night and lower oil prices contributed to an upbeat mood.

Marks & Spencer today lost the services of one of the London market’s most respected businessman as a non-executive director.

The London market held its nerve today to secure its best finish since the summer of 2002.

The London market finished in the red today after oil prices soared and Wall Street opened in lacklustre fashion.

The London market slid back towards its opening mark today as the City gave a cool reception to record profits from banking group HSBC.

Top flight shares headed southwards today in the face of a weakening dollar, higher factory gate prices and profit taking.

Falling oil prices and a positive start to trading in New York helped London shares to finish the day with healthy gains.

The London market’s seven-day winning streak came to an end today following a poor start to the session on Wall Street.

Concerns over sky high oil prices and the situation in Iraq sent London shares into another tailspin today.

The London stock market suffered its worst session in more than a month today as worries over US interest rates and oil prices hit confidence.

LEADING food packaging company O’Mahony Packaging has been taken over by FTSE 100 company Bunzl, in a deal valued at close to €3.6m.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares finished up 59.53 points on Monday at 5159.98.

The ISEQ was up 47 points, nearly 1%, to 5147 just before 11am boosted by evenly spread gains.

ISEQ-listed personal care company IWP has agreed to sell the Skiffy Group for €28m to international distribution group Bunzl.

Companies reporting in Britain in the week beginning February 24 include:

Technology companies in the UK face further problems today, after another wave of stocks are relegated in the FTSE’s quarterly reshuffle.

Computer services group Logica and chip designer ARM Holdings are set to be demoted from the prestigious FTSE 100 Index in next week’s reshuffle, according to figures today.

The Footsie index of 100 leading stocks has fallen by 12.1 points in subdued trading to stand at 5459.8 by lunchtime