A swirl of takeover activity among blue-chips failed to prevent the London market retreating from six-and-a-half year highs today.

Pubs giant Punch Taverns today saw shares slide on investor disappointment over its property plans, fuelling a lacklustre session for the London market.

The London market finished in the red as doubts over major banking and pharmaceutical takeovers weighed heavy on the Footsie.

Several high-profile stocks were on the front foot today buoyed by bid speculation and a series of positive broker upgrades.

Takeover talk lifted several London stocks today although the bid rumours sweeping the market failed to lift the Footsie into positive territory.

Lloyds TSB shares were 4% lower today after analysts began digging into the detail of the company’s annual profits haul of £3.7bn (€5.5bn).

British industrial group Hanson said today its full year profits had exceeded expectations after a record year led by its US businesses.

The FTSE 100 Index finished deep in negative territory today as results from a host of blue-chip firms failed to inspire the London market.

Disappointment over annual results from a number of blue-chip firms held the London market close to its opening mark today.

Traders were still in the festive spirit today as drinks firms helped boost stocks during an upbeat return following the Christmas break.

Industrial group Hanson today said annual profits at its UK building products arm would be lower after seeing a decline in brick volumes.

Further worrying signs from the United States economy rattled investors on both sides of the Atlantic today.

Investors endured a miserable start to the week after the FTSE 100 Index tumbled 1% on the back of worries over the weak US dollar today.

The FTSE 100 Index backed away from the 6000 mark today as miners suffered at the hands of weakening metal prices.

The London market was on the front foot today after market heavyweights BP and Royal Dutch Shell improved on the back of resurgent oil prices.

Hanson shares jumped 6% today as investors bought into speculation that he building materials group had received and subsequently rejected a takeover approach.

The London market closed in the red today dragged down by heavily-weighted oil stocks following a mixed session in the City.

PHONES4U owner Caudwell Group will be sold to two private equity firms in a deal worth £1.46 billion (€2.16bn), it was confirmed yesterday.

London’s leading shares were on the front foot today after a 4% gain for sweetmaker Cadbury Schweppes.

Industrial products group Hanson today estimated volumes in its UK brickmaking business fell 20% in the first six months of the year.

Share prices in London made modest gains today as investors ventured back into the market following the recent turmoil.

More than £34bn was wiped off the value of the UK’s leading companies today as the FTSE 100 Index plunged 2.4% lower.

The London market was under renewed pressure today as fears over higher interest rates in the United States offset strong gains from BAA and Vodafone.

Investors in blue-chip stocks were today treated to the sight of the FTSE 100 Index breaking through the 6100 threshold for the first time in more than five years.

The FTSE 100 Index slipped into the red today as it gave up early gains which had seen it power through the 6000 mark.

A landmark session for the London market ended with a tinge of disappointment today when the FTSE 100 Index closed below the 6,000 threshold.

Miners kept the FTSE 100 Index on course for the 6,000 barrier after six of the top flight’s 10 biggest risers came from the sector today.

The FTSE 100 Index continued its march towards the 6,000 mark today as investors jostled for position in the hope of further takeover activity.

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

The London market had the 5600 threshold firmly in its sights tonight after hopes of an early cut in interest rates ensured a fourth positive session in a row.

The firm behind London’s congestion charge scheme led the FTSE 100 Index to another four-year high today.

A cautious opening to trading on Wall Street – rather than the Chancellor’s gloomy economic forecasts – put the brakes on the London market today.

The London market resumed its upward path today despite a blow for firms in the DIY sector.

The biggest takeover of a UK company for five years and a rush of other bid activity drove the FTSE 100 Index beyond the 5300 barrier today.

A deal by Heinz for the maker of HP sauce was referred to the competition authorities today amid fears it could lead to higher sauce prices.

London’s leading shares finished a miserable week in the red today as stocks lost favour with investors.

Losses by oil heavyweights and a spate of profit-taking brought the recent rally by the London market to an end today.

The London market resumed its rally today as investors continued their hunt for potential takeover candidates.

Progress by telecoms and oil stocks helped the FTSE 100 Index reverse a recent losing streak today.

Hopes that the FTSE 100 Index would extend its recent rally were fading today as corporate news disappointed investors.

Top flight stocks stayed in positive territory today despite the second attack on London’s transport system in as many weeks.

British food producer RHM was valued at £958m (€1.4bn) today as the City clamoured for a slice of the maker of Hovis bread, Paxo stuffing and Mr Kipling cakes.

The FTSE 100 Index set another three year high today as the performance of heavyweight shares helped add to the feel-good factor in London.

Premier Foods and Associated British Foods were today reported to have lost out to US giant Heinz in the battle for the maker of HP sauces.