The London market fluctuated today ahead of a decision by the US Federal Reserve on how they intend to stimulate economic recovery.

Investors cheered news today of Lloyds Banking Group’s success in securing Santander UK boss Antonio Horta-Osorio as its new chief executive.

The FTSE 100 slipped into the red today as a surprise rise in US benefit claims took the gloss off decent half-year profits from insurer Aviva.

Lloyds Banking Group was the leading top-flight faller today as the FTSE 100 Index saw a difficult start to the trading week.

Financial stocks led the FTSE 100 Index into the red today as the London market slid to its third successive losing session.

The FTSE 100 Index surrendered a positive start today after a broker downgrade for Lloyds Banking Group sparked a fresh slump in banking shares.

The FTSE 100 Index joined stock markets globally in kicking off 2009 with a bang today in spite of more gloomy economic data.

The London market posted gains of almost 2% today as oil and commodity stocks fuelled a blue-chip rally.

British investors were focused on aerospace today as engineer Smiths bailed out of the sector and British Airways faced up to the prospect of industrial action.

The promise of a windfall for shareholders caused shares in industrial conglomerate Smiths to jump by more than 13% today.

WALTONS MOUNTAIN gets the nap to lead his rivals a merry dance in the Gleneagle Summer Cabaret Chase at Killarney this evening.

WHATSTHESCRIPT can get us off to the ideal start in the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Maiden on a decent programme at Roscommon this evening.

IT should pay to follow trainer Willie Mullins at Tipperary this evening.

CHELSEA’S chief executive Peter Kenyon has scotched rumours of a rift between him and coach Jose Mourinho.

London shares wrapped up a fifth consecutive session of gains today as the festive fervour showed no signs of slackening.

A positive performance by oil stocks helped to keep the London market in the black today.

London shares were hovering around their opening mark today after oil prices resumed their upward trend.

Retailer Next managed to buck the negative trend in London today as stronger-than-expected results pleased investors.

Retailers bucked the negative trend in the London market today after high street giant Next pleased investors.

British defence group Smiths today said it had won another lucrative deal to supply technology for Boeing’s new Dreamliner jet.

BRITAIN’S top supermarket chain Tesco kicks off a results-laden week for retailers, while investors will chew over the next move for the FTSE, tuning into the Federal Reserve’s one-day meeting for guidance.

The FTSE 100 Index slid back below the 4,000 mark today as banking and insurance stocks continued to weigh on the market.

Lockheed Martin has won the biggest-ever defence contract to supply Joint Strike Fighters to the US Air Force.