Shares in Comet owner Kesa Electricals were deep in the red today after gloom settled over its future trading prospects.

Comet owner Kesa Electricals said today it was considering putting its French furniture business up for sale after a number of firms signalled an interest in bidding for the company.

The owner of electricals company Comet rejected a £1.72bn (€2.5bn) takeover approach from a private equity firm today.

Comet owner Kesa today said strong demand for items such as flat-screen televisions boosted trading over the key Christmas period.

Electrical retailer Comet offered signs of an “improved performance” today, despite reporting a fall in third quarter sales.

UK electricals group Kesa today said sales at its flagship Comet chain were deteriorating as shoppers cut back on buying goods such as fridges and dishwashers.

Electricals group Kesa said today it expected its flagship UK chain to slump into the red amid growing woe on the high street.

Electricals group Kesa today reported strong demand for multimedia and digital products over Christmas, despite sales growth slowing at flagship chain Comet.

Heavyweight oil and financial stocks pushed forward today to help the FTSE 100 Index end an eight-day losing streak.

Retail giant Kingfisher today dismissed reports it was gearing up to sell its electrical business in a £3bn (€4.69bn) deal.