The London market made strong gains today as miners soared ahead and housebuilders were buoyed by encouraging property price figures.

Vodafone shares jumped another 7% after a post-results bounce for the mobile phone giant continued today.

The Icelandic investment group that owns a host of retailers including Hamleys today denied it was looking at placing its UK business into administration.

House of Fraser today said it was ready to roll out a host of brands across its revamped department stores, despite facing “difficult” trading conditions.

Moss Bros reported a deterioration in sales today, but said it was well placed to limit any further downside from the current testing conditions.

Weaker oil and energy stocks after falling crude prices saw the FTSE 100 Index end a volatile session in the red today.

Shares in UK housebuilders took a fresh hit today after traders reported the sale of seven million shares in leading firm Barratt Developments.

Icelandic investment group Baugur today dropped its bid for struggling men’s fashion chain Moss Bros.

Fashion and home furnishings firm Laura Ashley today posted a 62.3% leap in full-year profits despite falling sales amid tougher high street trading.

The FTSE 100 Index closed just shy of the key 6000 barrier today as strong gains from banks put the market on the front foot.

Further signs of gloom on the UK high street emerged today with a report showing the number of retailers reporting downbeat trading hit its highest level in two years in the last three months of 2007.

A host of the biggest names on the British high street were under pressure today as concerns over trading in the crucial Christmas season mounted.

Upbeat trading news from Lloyds TSB saw the bank make strong gains today but failed to provide direction on the wider London market.

Icelandic investment group Baugur today confirmed it was considering a possible offer for high street retailer Moss Bros.

Icelandic investment group Baugur is understood to be considering launching a £40m (€55m) takeover bid for retailer Moss Bros.

Soaring sales of novelty socks and other Christmas stocking favourites helped UK retailer John Lewis offer some welcome cheer in the retail sector today.

Bay Trading owner Alexon today added its name to the growing list of retailers feeling the pressure from the slide in consumer confidence.

British menswear retailer Moss Bros today became the latest retailer to warn over profits after seeing weakened consumer spending on the high street.

Menswear retailer Moss Bros today said its new-look stores were producing good returns after it delivered half-year results in line with expectations.

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

Excitement over a possible Icelandic bid for Moss Bros caused shares in the menswear retailer to jump by 15% today.

Food and drink sales in the UK rose at their fastest rate for three years during the July heatwave, it emerged today.

Shares in oil giant BP took a further hit today as investors pondered the impact of the on-going pipeline closure in Alaska.

An uncertain final session before Easter today saw the FTSE 100 Index sink below 6000 before recovering with strong gains from Vodafone and Rolls-Royce.

Investors lifted Rolls-Royce shares by more than 2% today after welcoming plans by the engines giant to tackle its £1.28 billion pensions deficit.

THE retail group behind the Suits You and Racing Green menswear brands changed hands yesterday for an estimated £30 million (€43m).

Disappointing news from the retail sector dragged the market lower today as it gave up gains made earlier in the week.

UK fashion retailer Moss Bros said it was confident of outperforming its rivals today after profits more than doubled at the half-year stage.

The number of shoppers on UK high streets fell to their lowest level for four years in July following the deadly bomb attacks in London, it emerged today.

The FTSE 100 Index survived a late scare from across the Atlantic today to register its first positive finish of the week.

Relief at weaker crude prices was bolstering oil-dependent stocks today and helped move the FTSE 100 Index higher.

The FTSE 100 Index held its own above the 4900 level today despite another reserves downgrade by Shell and a poor start on Wall Street.

Menswear retailer Moss Bros continued to reap the rewards of a turnaround strategy today as it revealed like-for-like sales rose 7% over the Christmas period.

The London market slipped back into reverse gear today as sky-high oil prices and losses by pharmaceutical companies took their toll.

The venture capital group circling retailer WH Smith today confirmed it was considering a second bid for the troubled high street giant.

Private equity firm Permira was today understood to be planning to offer a reduced £850m (€1.2bn) for British retailer WH Smith.

Shares in WH Smith slumped 4% today following the suspension of talks about a takeover by private equity group Permira.

British hoteliers and pub groups were doing their best to inject life into the London market today as trading faltered ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

Menswear retailer Moss Bros today kept up its recent trading revival by maintaining sales growth despite tough conditions on the high street.

TAKEOVER speculation surrounding WH Smith heightened yesterday amid reports the struggling retailer could be about to attract further bid interest.

Takeover speculation surrounding WH Smith heightened today amid reports the struggling retailer could be about to attract further bid interest.

UK economic concerns were back in focus today as London’s benchmark FTSE 100 Index threatened to complete a third day in the red.

Market heavyweight Vodafone and media group Reuters were leading the downward push today as the London market fell back.

The FTSE 100 Index closed up 57.1 points at 5271.8.