The London market edged forward today as takeover talk provided the main focus on an otherwise slow day for traders.

Takeover news provided the main focus on the London market today following a spate of announcements from FTSE 100 and second-tier stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index plunged by nearly 2% today as Irish bailout fears and Korean military tensions rattled investors’ confidence.

Markets on both sides of the Atlantic were in negative territory today after disappointing figures from Goldman Sachs and computer hardware giant IBM.

The London market gained more than 1% today as investors hailed the end of recession in the United States.

The economic storm clouds lifted for the London market today after figures signalled the end of recession in the United States.

Heavyweight commodity stocks helped the FTSE 100 Index gain some ground today after China unveiled a multi-billion plan to help its economy.

Bank note printer De La Rue today raised £360m after agreeing to sell its cash counting division to private equity firm Carlyle.

Reassuring news from banking giant Barclays and stronger-than-expected early trading on Wall Street helped limit falls on the London market today.

Barclays led a recovery for banking stocks today despite a nervous London market.

UK security printer De La Rue today said it was making more money than expected after seeing strong demand across all its businesses.

A clutch of retailers led the FTSE 100 Index to a negative close today amid fresh concern over the outlook for the high street.

Water companies buoyed the FTSE 100 Index today after regulator Ofwat signalled price rises at the top end of industry expectations.

Bank note printer De La Rue today named a new chief executive to drive forward its restructuring.

Iraq’s old bank notes bearing Saddam Hussein’s portrait became obsolete today at the end of a three-month period to exchange them for the new currency.

London shares lost most of their gains today as US investors brushed aside upbeat economic news in favour of profit-taking.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the week on a sour note today as heavyweight oil and financial stocks put a drag on the market.

The FTSE 100 Index has fallen into negative territory, slipping back from early gains made on the back of strong overnight progress in Wall Street.

The benchmark FTSE 100 Index remained in the red today, despite clawing its way back from earlier lows after US economic data came in better than expected.

Investors were left awaiting developments on Wall Street today after trading in London proved to be decidedly lacklustre.

Alphyra has announced that it has entered into a conditional agreement to sell the businesses of its Voice and Data Group, with the exception of the payphones business, for a total consideration of €12m.

Alphyra has completed the purchase of the Transaction Services Division of De La Rue plc for Stg £6m.