A raft of corporate activity failed to excite investors in London as the FTSE 100 Index gave up early gains to drift into the red.

Burberry handbags and Carphone Warehouse’s deal with AOL provided sparkle to an otherwise lacklustre market today which struggled to hold on to gains made at the start of the week.

London’s leading shares shrugged off fears over North Korea’s nuclear test today as rising oil prices and pharmaceutical firms took centre stage.

Homebase and Argos owner GUS today reported a mixed set of results as it prepares for the demerger of its retail and credit-checking businesses.

Hopes of consolidation among water utilities drove the London market forwards today after Anglian Water owner AWG said it had received an approach from a potential bidder.

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.

Shares in British Airways rose 2% today as airline services showed signs of returning to normal following Thursday’s terror alert.

CREDIT checking giant Experian is planning to move its corporate headquarters to Ireland later this year.

Shares in London drifted into the red today despite enthusiasm over a potential £1 billion takeover battle in the housebuilding sector.

Top retail chains Argos and Homebase could be the subject of a fresh £4bn (€6bn) takeover bid, it was reported today.

The London market closed barely ahead of its opening mark today following a mixed session in the City.

London markets were in positive territory today after investors benefited from a strong finish to trading in New York and a boost by PartyGaming.

The owner of retail chains Argos and Homebase said today it had spurned expressions of interest in both of its operating divisions.

A flurry of takeover speculation failed to keep the London market out of the red as investors continued to fret over higher interest rates today.

Renewed merger and acquisition speculation proved insufficient to keep the FTSE 100 Index in positive territory today.

Luxury goods group Burberry today revealed contrasting performances as booming sales in new markets such as China and India offset a softening in UK trading.

Shares in London plunged back into the red today as the markets failed to build on strong gains in the previous session.

Shares in London were back in negative territory today as the markets failed to build on strong gains in the previous session.

The London market was on the back foot again today– dashing hopes that yesterday’s strong gains signalled the end of the recent turmoil.

GUS offset a 9% fall in annual profits today by revealing the separation of its retail business Argos from credit-checking arm Experian would take place in October.

The FTSE 100 Index ended virtually where it started today in a rollercoaster session that saw traders struggle to make sense of recent batterings.

Strong gains for Dixons owner DSG International and merger partners Boots and Alliance UniChem excited traders in an otherwise downbeat session today.

A rally by retailers and mobile phone giant Vodafone sent the FTSE 100 Index back above the 6100 barrier today after losses in the previous session.

Brighter retail stocks and a strong gain by mobile phone group Vodafone encouraged the FTSE 100 Index to post healthy gains today.

The London market continued to slide today as the FTSE 100 Index sank back towards the 6000 mark amid heavy profit taking by investors.

The FTSE 100 Index continued its torrid run today and slipped below the 6000 barrier as miners came under pressure.

The FTSE 100 Index struggled for direction today as shares lifted in Alliance & Leicester on fresh speculation it may fall to a foreign predator.

Argos owner GUS fired the starting gun today on a long-awaited move for the separation of its retail business from credit-checking arm Experian.

The FTSE 100 Index closed above the 6000 mark tonight for the first time since March 2001 as the City digested Chancellor Gordon Brown’s 10th Budget.

Confirmation of bid interest in broadcaster ITV drove the London market higher today ahead of the Budget statement by Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Retail giant GUS was today reported to have spurned a £7bn (€10bn) approach for its Experian credit checking agency.

Price comparison website uSwitch today followed the advice it has given to thousands of Britons when a $366m (€305m) offer proved too good to turn down.

The latest round of takeover interest in London failed to inspire the market today as it slipped just off yesterday’s recent high.

The emergence of another potential high-profile takeover deal helped nudge the FTSE 100 Index closer to the 6,000 landmark today.

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.

Lloyds TSB and advertising giant WPP set a blistering pace today during a strong end to the week for London’s leading shares.

The London market went into reverse despite a positive contribution from top flight property companies today.

Shares in Boots jumped 4% today as investors pondered whether a private equity bidder could yet derail the retailer’s merger with Alliance UniChem.

Investors fed from a weekend of strong press speculation to send the FTSE 100 Index back towards the 5800 barrier today.

Argos owner GUS today unveiled an £85m (€124m) deal for a marketing database firm that helps companies monitor customers’ spending patterns.

Newspaper group Trinity Mirror today confirmed City grandee Sir Victor Blank was standing down as its chairman.

The uncertain run by the FTSE 100 Index continued today when early gains of more than 35 points were wiped out following a weak start in New York.

Pharmaceuticals firm Shire injected enthusiasm into London shares today as investors welcomed news it had settled a patent dispute.

IT may not have been a merry Christmas for HMV but Argos and the Carphone Warehouse remained steady.