The six-day rally on the FTSE 100 Index was brought to an abrupt end today as falling commodity stocks put pressure on miners and oil majors.

Retailer Marks & Spencer’s shares rose almost 6% today despite its worse sales performance for nearly a decade.

The prospect of a takeover battle for ICI left shares in the Dulux-to-chemicals firm at a fresh eight-year high today.

The London market was on the slide today as investors deserted mining companies and the cash crisis in the NHS took its toll on medical devices maker Smith & Nephew.

The London market looked set to avoid its third consecutive session of losses today as gains by oil firms boosted momentum.

Hopes of another strong close for London’s FTSE 100 Index were hit today by a late sell off.

A WAVE of more upbeat company results and economic data have stoked a summer surge in British share prices and should keep them on the rise in the coming months — albeit at a less sizzling pace.