Shares in Laird dropped the most on record after the supplier to Apple pared its outlook, citing “brutal” price competition from Asian parts providers and sluggish demand from the mobile industry.

BSkyB’s on-off takeover saga and renewed fears over the spread of Europe’s debt crisis led to a dramatic session in the City today.

The London market began the week on the front foot today driven on by deals and takeover speculation.

Laird Group Plc, the world’s biggest maker of electromagnetic shields for mobile phones, will buy antennae maker Centurion Wireless Technologies Inc for $194.4 million to bolster its business with customers such as Nokia Oyj.