India’s Tata conglomerate today looked to be in pole position to complete the £1bn (€1.4bn) acquisition of Ford’s Jaguar and Land Rover car marques.

Asia’s richest man is today reported to be eyeing a potential takeover of United Utilities’ electricity distribution business.

A strong gain at steel group Corus could not save the FTSE 100 Index from falling into negative territory during a lacklustre session for the London market today.

India’s Tata Steel won the battle for Corus early today after a dramatic night of bidding sent the Anglo-Dutch firm’s value soaring to £5.75bn (€8.66bn).

Corus and Vodafone were two of the biggest risers in the FTSE 100 Index following positive news for investors in both companies today.

India’s Tata Steel landed the winning blow today in the auction of former British Steel company Corus.

A head-to-head bid battle for former British Steel firm Corus is due to get under way today.

Brazilian steelmaker CSN won EU regulatory approval to buy Corus Group PLC today, as it battles India’s Tata Steel to win control of the British company.

Steelmaking firms from India and Brazil are gearing up for the start of a last-ditch bidding war for former British Steel company Corus.

Traders overcame a quiet session for corporate news by turning the spotlight on possible merger and acquisition activity today.

Shares in Corus soared 5% today as investors sat back and enjoyed a dramatic bidding war for the Anglo-Dutch steel company.

The battle for steel group Corus (formerly British Steel) intensified today after Brazilian firm CSN dramatically trumped a takeover offer from Indian rival Tata.

Corus shareholders reaped further rewards today from the dramatic bidding war involving the Anglo-Dutch steel group.

The takeover battle for steel group Corus intensified today after Brazilian firm CSN trumped an offer from Indian rival Tata Steel.

The London market bounced back from six straight falls today as strong corporate results and merger and acquisition activity tempted investors back to the table.

British steelmaker Corus benefited from higher selling prices today as profits continued to climb towards the end of a three-year recovery programme.

The boss of Brazilian steel firm CSN today said he was preparing to make a bid for Corus in the next 10 days.

Takeover speculation fuelled shares in the London Stock Exchange (LSE) today as the market staged a late recovery to finish in positive territory.

A dramatic morning of takeover developments sent a buzz around the City today, although it was not enough to stop the market sliding into the red.

A sharp fall in commodity prices brought the London market’s recent progress to a juddering halt today.

Telecom giant BT today unveiled plans to hire 6,000 workers in India over the next two years.

The FTSE 100 Index powered through the 6,200 barrier today to close at its highest level since February 2001.

Shares in London drifted lower today as a shortage of economic and corporate data left investors with little to cheer.

The biggest steel maker in Russia was today said to have dropped its interest in British-Dutch steel group Corus following last week's bid by Indian firm Tata Steel.

BRAZILIAN steel group CSN was yesterday said to be preparing to trump the £4.3 billion (€6.4bn) takeover of Corus by Indian rival Tata Steel.

Thousands of UK steel workers were seeking assurances over their jobs tonight after the Corus group agreed to a £4.3bn (€6.42bn) takeover by Indian rival Tata Steel.

The performance of Corus shares continued to suggest today that investors remained on standby for a rival approach to Tata’s £4.3 billion offer.

British steel maker Corus agreed to a £4.3bn (€6.4) takeover by Indian rival Tata Steel today – ending the UK company’s year-long search for a partner.

The London market made further progress today as the Dow Jones Industrial Average traded above 12,000 for the second session running in New York.

Banking stocks led the London market into the red today after Egg owner Prudential warned of a “marked deterioration” in market trends.

Burberry handbags and Carphone Warehouse’s deal with AOL provided sparkle to an otherwise lacklustre market today which struggled to hold on to gains made at the start of the week.

Carphone Warehouse shares surged today after the company announced a deal to buy the UK arm of internet provider AOL for £370 million.

Bid talk surrounding fund-management firms and a strong performance from Vodafone helped the FTSE 100 Index move further from the 6,000 barrier today.

The FTSE 100 Index continued its recent improvement after seeing world markets remain steady following North Korea’s claims to have held nuclear testing.

London’s leading shares shrugged off fears over North Korea’s nuclear test today as rising oil prices and pharmaceutical firms took centre stage.

London bucked the downward trend for world markets today as investors in the UK reacted calmly to the news of a nuclear test in North Korea.

Investors in London held their nerve today in the face of international fears over North Korea’s first nuclear weapons test.

A bumper $6.5bn finance package was today reported to have been put together by India’s Tata Steel as it considers a move for Corus.

The FTSE 100 Index closed above the 6000 threshold for the first time since May today buoyed by record levels in the US.

Energy company Viridian – parent of Northern Ireland Electricity – today confirmed it was the subject of takeover interest.

Indian steel giant Tata Steel said today it was considering a takeover move for former British Steel firm Corus.

The FTSE 100 Index edged back towards the key 6000 threshold today as merger and acquisition rumours circulated the markets.

The London market struggled for direction today amid global economic and political uncertainties.

A strong performance from financial stocks boosted the London markets today, offsetting heavy losses from steel maker Corus.