The FTSE 100 Index lost ground for the second session in a row today after US home sales plunged to a record low during May.

Better news from the UK jobs market and a strong session for financial stocks ensured the London market remained in positive territory today.

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

Shares in Carpetright and Comet owner Kesa Electricals slumped today after the pair highlighted the pressure facing retailers in the current climate.

Declines in the retail and mining sectors added to fears over US investment banking giant Lehman Brothers today.

The owner of British electrical retailer Comet said the high street chain would slump to a first half loss this year after sales of white goods dived.

Shares in Comet owner Kesa Electricals were deep in the red today after gloom settled over its future trading prospects.

Continued demand for laptops and flat screen televisions helped shore up sales growth at electricals chain Comet today.

A further round of sell recommendations from brokers cranked up the pressure on shares in the housebuilding and retail sectors today.

Strong demand for laptops and flat screen TVs helped electricals chain Comet deliver a slender sales rise today but its parent warned of “difficult” trading ahead.

Banking stocks ended the final full trading session of the year on the back foot today as fears over the sector’s fortunes sent shares down.

Banking stocks enjoyed a welcome rebound today after renewed hopes of a bid for crisis-hit Northern Rock lifted sentiment in the sector.

Beleaguered Northern Rock led the London market higher today amid fresh hopes of a bid for the company.

Comet owner Kesa Electricals said today it was considering putting its French furniture business up for sale after a number of firms signalled an interest in bidding for the company.

An about-turn for oil prices caused the FTSE 100 Index to give up impressive gains from earlier in the session today.

Firmer commodity prices put BP and a number of mining stocks back on an upward path today.

Mining stocks led the FTSE 100 Index towards the 6000 barrier today – boosted by better-than-expected consumer confidence figures from the US.

Embattled music retailer HMV appointed a new chief executive today after securing the services of a former boss at retail chain Comet.

TWO private equity groups — Permira and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts — plan to make a revised offer of 490 cents a share for electrical goods retailer Kesa Electricals, the Business said yesterday.

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.

The owner of electricals company Comet rejected a £1.72bn (€2.5bn) takeover approach from a private equity firm today.

The London market was unable to cling on above the 5700 barrier today even though a rebound by stocks in Japan boosted morale.

Investors piled back into London shares today amid relief at a rebound by Japan’s stock exchange.

Comet owner Kesa today said strong demand for items such as flat-screen televisions boosted trading over the key Christmas period.

The FTSE 100 Index was more than 50 points lower today after mining stocks dealt a hefty blow to the London market.

The FTSE 100 Index pressed on towards another four-year high today despite an exodus of investors from catering giant Compass.

Optimism in the commodities markets kept London stocks firmly in the black today.

UK electricals group Kesa today said sales at its flagship Comet chain were deteriorating as shoppers cut back on buying goods such as fridges and dishwashers.

A clutch of retailers led the FTSE 100 Index to a negative close today amid fresh concern over the outlook for the high street.

Electricals group Kesa said today it expected its flagship UK chain to slump into the red amid growing woe on the high street.

The FTSE 100 Index clung on above the 4800 mark today as negative sentiment towards blue-chip shares spilled over to the UK from Wall Street.

Heavy falls by shares across the Atlantic last night set the tone for the London market today.

Electricals group Kesa today reported strong demand for multimedia and digital products over Christmas, despite sales growth slowing at flagship chain Comet.

The FTSE 100 Index was testing the 4,600 barrier today after traders were buoyed by a strong session for shares on Wall Street last night.

Electricals group Kesa delivered improved half-year operating profits today after benefiting from a strong performance by flagship UK chain Comet.

Traders were struggling to find reasons to enter the London market today as a poor session in New York and fears over higher interest rates derailed a recent rally.

Comet owner Kesa said today the electrical retailer was continuing to benefit from its strategic repositioning as it announced a positive start to the year.

London shares made modest gains today as traders prepared for a quiet session because of the Thanksgiving Holiday in the United States.

Investors have drawn encouragement from a strong performance on Wall Street as the FTSE 100 Index looked set to continue its steady progress.

BRITAIN’S top supermarket chain Tesco kicks off a results-laden week for retailers, while investors will chew over the next move for the FTSE, tuning into the Federal Reserve’s one-day meeting for guidance.

London’s leading shares remained stuck just within negative territory today as early fears of a lacklustre day proved well founded.

The FTSE 100 Index made an early move into positive territory today shrugging off fears of a lower opening.

London’s FTSE 100 Index edged closer to the 4200 barrier today after benefiting from improved sentiment in New York.