Marks & Spencer set the pace for blue-chip stocks after a broker raised its price target on the rejuvenated retailer today.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares was in positive territory this afternoon, up 59.98 points to 7370.51 by 12.45pm.

Oil exploration company Tullow was today celebrating a potentially “significant” new gas discovery in the North Sea.

FRENCH stocks, including Gaz de France SA and European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co, advanced.

French President Jacques Chirac, in Berlin for a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, today dismissed as “completely absurd” suggestions that his country is pursuing protectionist policies, rejecting criticism elsewhere in Europe of a government-backed merger between two French energy firms.

French President Jacques Chirac underlined the importance of close Franco-German co-operation today as German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted much of his government in Berlin for talks ahead of next week’s European Union summit.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was to welcome French President Jacques Chirac and members of his government to Berlin today for talks ahead of next week’s European Union summit.

Italy’s Premier Silvio Berlusconi said today that the European Union should intervene in the planned French energy merger aimed at blocking a potential hostile bid from Italian energy company Enel.

Hopes of consolidation in the energy sector combined with a flurry of corporate results to send the FTSE 100 Index towards the 5900 mark today.

Gaz de France and Suez today announced details of their hastily-arranged all-French merger, designed to create a new leading player in energy and environmental services – and fend off a bid for Suez by Italian power company Enel.

The latest flurry of deal-making in the energy sector added impetus to the London market today and put it within striking distance of the 5900 barrier.

Talks begin today towards sealing a controversial merger deal between state-owned gas producer Gaz de France and utility company Suez that would create a world energy leader and block a hostile bid from Italy.

French utility Gaz de France SA said today there had been a “significant deterioration” in natural gas flows from Russia, after the price dispute which led to Moscow cutting off gas supplies to neighbouring Ukraine.

Electricite de France (EDF) is set to raise up to €7bn when it is partially privatised next week, it was announced today.

The FTSE 100 Index notched its third straight session of losses today as oil heavyweights failed to benefit from the latest rise in crude prices.

The FTSE 100 Index finished today back above the 5200 level as investors adopted a defiant mood after yesterday’s London bombings.

OIL and gas exploration firm Tullow Oil has started production at the Horne and Wren North Sea gas field, the London and Dublin quoted oil and gas group, said yesterday.

British Gas group Centrica today said it was in exclusive talks to take control of Belgium’s second-largest power supplier.

Rescue workers today called off a search for survivors under the rubble of an apartment building flattened by a gas explosion that killed at least 17 people.

ELECTRICITY workers cut power to a former French prime minister yesterday as part of a national day of action against government plans to partly privatise public utilities.

Electricity workers cut power to a former French prime minister today as part of a national day of action against government plans to partly privatise public utilities.

France’s biggest trade union claimed responsibility today for causing power cuts at three major Paris railway stations and warned there would be more protests over plans for the partial privatisation of the country’s gas and power utilities.

Gaz de France, the state-owned gas distributor, wants to sell shares on the stock market as soon as possible after its status is changed to a corporations, chief executive Pierre Gadonneix has said.

Concern over illegal tax breaks has stopped work at the gigantic "Snow White" offshore field near Norway.