H Samuel and Ernest Jones parent Signet said today that sales dived in recent weeks as consumer confidence tumbled on both sides of the Atlantic.

H Samuel and Ernest Jones owner Signet posted a further slide in sales today as the jeweller saw no let-up in tough trading conditions in the US and UK.

H Samuel and Ernest Jones jeweller Signet revealed a slump in first quarter earnings today after weak trading in America offset rising UK sales.

Mortgage lender Halifax Bank of Scotland led a depressed session for banking stocks and the wider London market today.

Marks & Spencer added to the retail blues in the UK this week after its Christmas sales disappointment, but it was not all doom and gloom in a mixed week for the sector.

A host of the biggest names on the British high street were under pressure today as concerns over trading in the crucial Christmas season mounted.

Jewellers H Samuel and Ernest Jones today signalled the continued revival of its UK brands as the group posted a second quarter sales rise of 6.6%.

Shares in H Samuel and Ernest Jones jeweller Signet were hit today after the company warned of weaker trading in the United States since February.

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

London’s leading shares made gains today as a positive end to trading on Wall Street last night and lower oil prices contributed to an upbeat mood.

Shares in H Samuel owner Signet slumped today as the market reacted to the decision of two private equity firms to opt against a joint bid for the jeweller.

Entrepreneur Gerald Ratner’s interest in buying the Ernest Jones and H Samuel jewellery businesses was under pressure from a familiar quarter today.

The London market finished just below its opening mark today following a mixed session for leading shares as fears of an imminent interest rate rise across the Atlantic loomed again.

H Samuel jeweller Signet made another loss in the UK today after promotional activity required to offset tough trading conditions affected margins.

Retailers in the UK kept up their cautious stance today despite better-than-expected sales figures from the likes of Boots, Sainsbury’s and Argos.

Jeweller Signet saw third-quarter profits fall sharply today as the slowdown in spending on the UK high street hit sales at its Ernest Jones and H Samuel stores.

Jewellery retailer Signet revealed today that its Ernest Jones and H Samuel chains had sunk deeper into the red.

The FTSE 100 Index racked up its fifth consecutive session of gains today to close at its highest level since mid-April.