British transport company Go-Ahead Group said earnings at its troubled rail division are set to come under further pressure as uncertainty about the UK economy weighs on commuter numbers at one of its biggest franchises.

Latest: The National Bus and Rail Union has warned of industrial action if more bus routes in Dublin are privatised.

Transport giant FirstGroup lost more than a fifth of its stock market value today after an embarrassing British government u-turn dealt a blow to its hopes of running the West Coast franchise.

The London market continued its grim week today after worse than expected results from Lloyds Banking Group sparked losses for financial stocks.

Whitbread and retailer Carpetright suffered share price falls today after failing to shake off worries over a New Year spending squeeze.

The final hurdle to a merger between British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia should be cleared tomorrow when shareholders of the two airlines vote on the £5bn (€5.88bn) link-up.

Surprising UK growth figures sent the pound soaring today, but the news failed to offset falls on the FTSE 100 Index.

Sterling jumped 1% against other major currencies today after surprise growth figures fuelled hopes that the Bank of England will not need to take further emergency action to prop up the economic recovery.

British transport firm Arriva today said talks with France’s national rail operator about creating a new European industry giant had come to nothing.

Blue chip banks made strong gains today as news that Bank of America will repay its $45bn (€30bn) US bailout cash outweighed reports of the sector’s heavy exposure to Dubai.

Embattled transport group National Express saw shares race ahead today after news of a higher £765m (€875m) takeover approach from its biggest shareholder.

British investors were given a jolt today after new research showed signs of a stalling in the recovery of the manufacturing sector.

The FTSE 100 Index shed more than 2% today as markets reacted with initial disappointment to US economic rescue plans.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the day almost 2% down today as the worst snow in 20 years meant thin trading volumes in London.

There were more woes for retail stocks today after Carpetright and Comet owner Kesa Electricals became the latest to offer gloomy news.

Rail, bus and coach operator National Express today matched its rivals by reporting a strong start to the year.

Halifax Bank of Scotland stuck close to its opening mark today amid speculation it will announce a £4 billion rights issue this week.

The London market shrugged off disappointing UK growth figures to post steady gains today.

Fears over the state of the US economy resurfaced to derail a solid session for the London market today.

Rail and bus operator Go-Ahead sparked a major sell-off for shares in transport companies today.

Transport group Go-Ahead today said a strong performance from its bus division helped lift underlying pre-tax profits by more than 14% to £58.3m (€78.3m).

UK transport group Go-Ahead today said an “excellent” performance from its rail business helped boost profits by a fifth, but the group warned the division could swing into the red this year.

The London market is on the back foot after overnight falls on Wall Street and continued interest rate fears hit blue chip stocks.

The increasing prospect of higher interest rates cast a shadow over property and retail stocks on the London market today.

The London market moved further towards the 5200 barrier today with a sixth consecutive session of progress.

The London market made healthy gains today as leading shares recovered some of their poise at the end of another lacklustre week for investors.

Top flight shares edged into the black today after public finances showed their biggest monthly surplus for three years.

British bus and rail group Go-Ahead today warned of a slowdown in growth in its lucrative London bus business, but denied it would impact profits.

London shares picked up the pace in late trading to end the day firmly above the key 4600 support level.

The London market recovered some of its early losses today as investors shrugged off a gloomy sales update from US microchip maker Intel.

Transport group Go-Ahead lifted annual profits by 39% to £91.3m (€134m) today after benefiting from a strong performance by its bus division.

British rail and bus company Go-Ahead today reported a better-than-expected performance from its trains in the second half as it forecast “satisfactory” full year figures.

The London market ended the week on a flat note today after Wall Street closed in a mark of respect to former US President Ronald Reagan.

Bus and rail group Go-Ahead announced today that its chief executive was stepping down.

London’s benchmark FTSE 100 Index shrugged off gloomy US economic data today to finish an otherwise subdued session for trading in positive mood.

London's leading shares have slipped into negative territory, as insurers dragged the FTSE 100 Index lower.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 Index has moved back into positive territory, to stand up by 11.3 points at 4260.1.

Hopes of a strong start to the week from London’s leading shares evaporated today as the FTSE 100 Index fell back from earlier gains.

Share prices in London overcame initial jitters today after trading on Wall Street lifted spirits.

Expectations of another weak opening on Wall Street left share prices in London drifting today.

The FTSE 100 Index is being pushed down towards the key 5,000 mark again, falling 36.6 points to 5036.7 after an hour's trading.