Twitter has set the ball rolling for one of the most eagerly anticipated stock market flotations since Facebook took the plunge last year.

Retail giant Tesco marked the end of the supermarket "space race" today as it scrapped more than 100 major store developments and admitted future growth would be focused more online.

The boss of Dixons Retail today said the Currys and PC World owner was poised to take advantage of the demise of rival Comet.

The number of customers using smartphones on the Vodafone Ireland network has increased by 6.7% in the quarter ended September 30, 2012, it announced today.

BP’s recovery in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster gathered pace yesterday as it surprised investors with a bigger-than-expected hike to its dividend.

The growing thirst of emerging markets for whiskey, gin and vodka cheered Guinness and Baileys firm Diageo today as its western markets continued to suffer a debt hangover.

Standard Chartered shares continued to recover today following a tough defence against allegations that the bank covered up illegal dealings with Iran.

Standard Chartered has seen £6bn (€7.46bn) wiped from its value amid fears it could lose its US banking licence after regulators branded the lender a “rogue institution” over its dealings with the Iranian government.

Standard Chartered has seen £6bn (€7.5bn) wiped from its value amid fears it could lose its US banking licence after regulators branded the lender a “rogue institution” over its dealings with the Iranian government.

The British banking industry was mired in fresh scandal today after Standard Chartered was branded a “rogue institution” for covering up billions of pounds of illegal transactions with the Iranian government.

Falling energy prices left its mark on Royal Dutch Shell today after a weaker-than-expected profits performance drove a big fall in its share price.

GlaxoSmithKline warned that sales in 2012 would be flat as pressure on drug prices intensifies in Europe, due to government austerity measures aimed at curbing healthcare bills.

Facebook shares are being offered to the public for $38 in one of the biggest ever US stock flotations.

Facebook is heading for one of the biggest ever US stock flotations when it sells hundreds of millions of shares to the public.

Oil giant BP revealed a dip in profits yesterday as its commitment to sell off billions of pounds of assets in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico disaster hit production.

THE popularity of The X Factor, Doc Martin and rugby’s World Cup tournament helped boost broadcaster ITV’s third-quarter revenues, the company said yesterday.

The under-pressure boss of BP today insisted the beleaguered oil giant had reached a “turning point” despite production falling as it continues to sell off billions of dollars worth of assets in the wake of last year’s Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.

The owner of Argos heaped more gloom on the retail sector today as it revealed the catalogue chain saw same-store sales drop nearly 9% in the last three months.

The squeeze on consumer spending is failing to deter coffee lovers after the owner of Costa today reported a surge in half-year sales.

Mothercare delivered more downbeat UK trading figures today as the chain begins the task of slashing the size of its high street estate.

Mothercare delivered more downbeat UK trading figures today as the chain begins the task of slashing the size of its high street estate.

The FTSE 100 Index slumped more than 2% today after markets across the globe were shocked by a downgrade of the US government’s debt outlook.

Bosses at BP will unveil the oil giant’s first annual loss in nearly two decades tomorrow following a disastrous year for the blue-chip company.

Fashion house Burberry today reported a 50% profits surge driven by sales of leather handbags and its relaunched menswear business.

IRISH shares lost more ground yesterday, falling just over 2%, with CRH, airlines and banks hit.

Banking giant HSBC today said profits were “comfortably ahead” of last year in the first three months of 2010 amid lower toxic debt levels.

TESCO – spearheading a supermarket price war in Ireland – said it had a very strong performance over Christmas, reporting the best results in three years.

Britain’s blue chip stocks reached a landmark today as the FTSE 100 Index recovered to the level seen before the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers.

Tour operator Thomas Cook today said it was on course to meet expectations after trading for the summer remained strong in “all major markets”.

Tour operator Thomas Cook today said it was on course to meet expectations after trading for the summer remained strong in “all major markets”.

BRITAIN’S third-largest clothing retailer Next has said annual profits rose 4% last year but added that trading will be difficult in the coming months.

The London market plunged close to the 6000 barrier today as concerns over the US economy sent shares tumbling on both sides of the Atlantic.

Major stock market index the Dow Jones Industrial Average moved past the 14,000 mark for the first time today.

Music and books retailer HMV today said it had paid the price for failing to react quickly enough to changing consumer demands as it issued its second profits warning since the start of the year.

The London Stock Exchange moved to fend off US rival Nasdaq’s hostile bid today by unveiling plans to return an extra £250m (€380.8m) to shareholders.

UK leisure group Rank today offered further evidence that its Mecca bingo clubs in Scotland were being affected by the smoking ban north of the border.

Services group Rentokil Initial dealt a blow to recovery hopes today by reducing profits expectations at its biggest division.

Banking giant HSBC today posted an 18% hike in first-half profits of $12.52bn (€9.8bn).

Shares in Vodafone rose today as the mobile phone giant reported revenues growth in line with expectations – giving a much needed boost to under-pressure chief executive Arun Sarin.

Music store and bookshop owner HMV became the latest retailer to count the cost of the World Cup as it reported plummeting sales today.

Investors had fresh cause for celebration today after London’s second-tier FTSE 250 Index broke through the 10,000 landmark for the first time.

British financial news and data provider Reuters today reported a better-than-expected 13% rise in first quarter revenues as it benefited from price increases and recent acquisitions.

Online casinos soared in value today amid signs of growing opposition to legislation which would outlaw internet gambling in the United States.

BRITAIN’S big five banks unveiled combined profits of £33.4 billion (€49.68bn) last year — a figure which has fuelled outrage among consumer groups.