Disappointment over US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke’s failure to offer clear signals of imminent economy boosting measures sent the FTSE 100 Index into the red today.

Garfunkels and Frankie & Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group today said it had halted a slide in sales after a hit from the volcanic ash crisis and slower trade during the World Cup.

The London market was on the front foot today led forward by a strong performance from Next as investors cheered first-half results.

The owner of restaurants including Frankie & Benny’s and Garfunkel’s served up record results today after half-year profits lifted 40% to £9.8m (€14.3m).