Bank of England policymakers are expected to pause for breath when they meet this week after the shock decision last month to pump an extra £50bn into the British economy.

The FTSE 100 Index clung to its opening mark today as progress was held back by poor corporate news flow and disappointing figures from the key services sector.

London shares were flat today after a disappointing survey from the services sector showed growth slowed in June.

The Bank of England is widely expected to cut interest rates this week amid growing signs of a downturn in the UK economy.

The Bank of England’s decision to spare businesses a further rise in interest rates proved to be a crumb of comfort for manufacturers this week.

The impact of soaring energy bills on UK manufacturers was laid bare today in a survey showing another month of job losses and heavy cost cutting.

Activity in the British housebuilding industry fell for the first time in five months after firms were frustrated in breaking ground on new projects, a survey showed today.

THE Bank of England is expected to freeze interest rates at 4.75% this week after business and consumer confidence failed to recover after the general election.

The health of the UK's manufacturing sector continues to deteriorate, experts warned, after it emerged today that factory output had declined for the first time in more than two years.

March data from the latest Ulster Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index Report for Northern Ireland showed growth of private sector output extending into a 24th consecutive month.

The FTSE 100 Index bounced back from gloom caused by a profits warning from Boots today to break through the key 5000 barrier.

Takeover activity continued to set pulses racing in London today as the FTSE 100 Index consolidated its position above the 4900 barrier.

London shares achieved a two-month high today on the back of a decent showing by banks and oil stocks.

The Bank of England is announcing the interest rate level at noon, with British homeowners hoping it will hold at 4%.

Britain's homebuyers are facing higher mortgage repayments as economists tipped the Bank of England to raise interest rates today.

Companies are more profitable than at any time for nearly four years as confidence in the UK economy continues to pick up, according to official figures out today.

The purchasing manager index of activity in the UK construction sector unexpectedly fell to 59.2 in December from 60.5 in November, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply said today.

The UK's struggling manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace in almost four years in December, giving fresh hope of recovery during 2004.

THE European services industry, including companies such as airlines and banks, grew for the first time this year in July, another sign consumer and corporate spending is picking up and spurring economic growth.

IRELAND’S service sector contracted in May in line with the rest of the eurozone but in sharp contrast to the country’s largest traded partner Britain.

Troubled British telecoms operator Cable & Wireless endured a turbulent session today after announcing 1,500 job cuts and the suspension of dividend payouts.