Better-than-expected economic data in the United States provided a late session boost for London’s blue chip share index today.

London’s benchmark FTSE 100 Index held on to gains today to break a four-day losing streak.

An oil find in the UK North Sea has the potential to be one of the region’s biggest discoveries of recent years, an exploration firm said today.

EnCore Oil announced that the Old Head of Kinsale gas appraisal well operated by Island Oil & Gas in the Celtic Sea has reached total depth.

ISLAND Oil & Gas incurred losses before tax of £400,000 (€591,900) for the year to the end of July, up from £100,000 (€149,000) the previous year, as increased exploration costs swamped earnings from gas sales.