Christmas spending at UK supermarkets and weak sterling helped boost London’s Ftse 100 blue-chip index, which hit fresh record highs yesterday, as other European shares also ended slightly in positive territory.

A ruling by a UK court that insists the British parliament approve the Brexit vote will unlikely delay the final divorce proceedings with the EU, Ireland’s leading independent expert on Brexit has said.

London’s top-flight index sunk deeper into the red as it came under pressure from sliding commodity stocks and a slump from the supermarkets.

Britain’s top equity index edged lower yesterday, with a decline for commodities stocks such as BP and Royal Dutch Shell overshadowing gains in travel group TUI.

British supermarket Morrisons has been saved at the last minute from being kicked out of London’s blue chip index after its first rise in sales for nearly 18 months sent shares surging.

London’s Ftse 100 index was 2% higher yesterday after the unexpected Conservative election victory added over £40bn to market prices.

Directors of top companies have seen their median earnings increase by 14% in the past year, driven by a huge rise in share-based long-term incentive payments, according to a new report.

Next nudged its full-year profit forecast higher after an increase in sales over the Christmas period was supplemented by improved margins due to a renewed attack on costs.

A positive start to trading on Wall Street safeguarded gains on the London market today as investors cheered signs of a revival in deal activity.

Signs of a revival in major deal activity encouraged investors today after a difficult few sessions for world markets.

The FTSE 100 Index held firm in positive territory today, but it was a tough session for blue chip insurers Prudential and Admiral.

Barclays’ £4.5bn (€5.7bn) fundraising announcement boosted the UK banking sector and helped put the London market on the front foot today.

Housebuilder Barratt Developments was today earmarked to join the FTSE 100 Index for the first time in its history.

London shares saw a sharp downturn during afternoon trading after lower-than-expected US retail sales figures led to a tumble in the US markets at the start of the day’s trade.

The FTSE 100 Index saw another volatile day of trading today as it swung between gains and losses after further fears over the health of the US economy spooked investors.

The FTSE 100 Index held firm today in a lacklustre session for shares in London as markets in the United States closed for the Independence Day holiday.

Marks & Spencer today lost the services of one of the London market’s most respected businessman as a non-executive director.

The FTSE 100 has closed up 8.8 at 5083.

The FTSE 100 has closed down 62.1 at 5074.2