The crisis facing Northern Rock has intensified speculation that the bank will shortly be sold off.

Copper prices tumbled below $6,000 a tonne today, sending shares in the mining sector down as much as 5%.

At the end of a fractious week in the media industry, ITV is still rudderless, BSkyB almost £1bn (€1.47bn) poorer and NTL in a state of limbo.

The London market was a sea of red today as investors took the chance to secure profits after a recent strong run.

Shares in Marks & Spencer closed at a record high tonight after booming sales raised the prospect of a return to its halcyon days of billion pound profits.

Technology-based stocks took a battering today after a profits warning from bluetooth chip maker CSR.

More than £34bn was wiped off the value of the UK’s leading companies today as the FTSE 100 Index plunged 2.4% lower.

Debenhams shares were priced at the bottom end of expectations today as the retailer returned to the market after an absence of more than two years.

Debenhams prepared to list on the London stock market for the third time today after a spell away from the limelight proved profitable for owners and managers.

Top flight shares ended the week on a new two-and-a-half-year high today after investors kept faith in Marks & Spencer.

The London market watchdog has fined a leading financial bookmaker £70,000 (€99,000) for running a “misleading” campaign promoting spread betting, it emerged today.

Losses by oil stocks and a surprise interest rate hike in China took their toll on the London market today, leaving it on course for a lacklustre end to the week.

The Bank of England is set to give homeowners a break from higher mortgage costs this week by keeping interest rates on hold.

Richard Branson is unlikely to go ahead with plans to float Virgin Mobile on the stock market unless he gets the right price, it was reported today.

Virgin Mobile may be forced to cut its flotation price because of a lacklustre response from investors, it was reported today.

London shares came under the cosh today from growing nervousness about interest rate rises in the world’s biggest economy.

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.

Shares in Manchester United climbed to a new three-year high today amid fresh speculation over a takeover of the Premiership champions.

London’s FTSE 100 Index closed at a new 15-month high today after investors cheered another set of upbeat economic figures.

BRITAIN’S leading share index is on course for the 4,200 points level this week with attention focused on results from telecom giant BT, media firms Granada and Carlton Communications and fresh merger activity.

Trading on the London market fizzled out today as the City packed up for the festive break.

THE FTSE 100 Index enjoyed its best day for almost three months today as the value of Britain’s biggest companies soared

LONDON’S FTSE 100 Index hit a new six-year low yesterday as stock markets around the world stumbled once more during a depressing start to the week.

Vodafone has today denied it is delaying the roll-out of 3G mobile phone services.

The London market slid lower today, falling back from three sessions of gains as banks, telecoms and drug stocks slipped.

Cantor Index, the financial spread betting firm hit by the terrorist attacks in the United States, today showed it was fighting back with an increase in business.

Cantor Index, the financial spread betting firm hit by the terrorist attacks in the United States, today showed it was fighting back with an increase in business.