Heavyweight miners dragged the FTSE 100 Index lower today despite another bright session for many top-flight retailers.

The London market broke a three-day losing streak today after property and retail stocks enjoyed a return to investor favour.

UK home shopping group N Brown today hailed a “strong and sustained” performance during the first half of the year, boosted by the popularity of its Simply Be catalogue.

The FTSE-100 index at the close was down 0.8 at 6549.6.

Details of the knife-edge vote on interest rates by Bank of England policymakers drew a positive response on the London market today.

Carphone Warehouse shares surged today after the company announced a deal to buy the UK arm of internet provider AOL for £370 million.

A rally by retailers and mobile phone giant Vodafone sent the FTSE 100 Index back above the 6100 barrier today after losses in the previous session.

Brighter retail stocks and a strong gain by mobile phone group Vodafone encouraged the FTSE 100 Index to post healthy gains today.

Upgrades for top flight stocks and bid excitement over ports and ferries firm P&O helped the FTSE 100 Index rise further above the 5700 mark today.

A bid battle for ports and ferries firm P&O and broker upgrades for a string of top-flight stocks enabled the London market to bed in above the 5700 threshold today.

Falling demand for precious metals sent mining stocks plummeting today as the Footsie slumped to its lowest level in six weeks.

Marks & Spencer dominated trading in London today after posting a surprise pick-up in sales and announcing the departure of the creator of its Per Una range.

Marks & Spencer shares were testing the 400p barrier today as investors welcomed strong signs of a revival at the high street retailer.

The FTSE 100 Index was heading for its first positive finish this week after investors applauded figures from Royal & Sun Alliance.

The London market hit a two-and-a-half year high today as traders welcomed hints that interest rates will stay on hold.

A poor start on Wall Street helped take the shine off the London market today.

The FTSE 100 Index plunged to its lowest level since December 1995 today after the worst ever run in its history.

The FTSE 100 Index was struggling to avoid its ninth successive fall today as banking stocks continued to suffer.

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

The FTSE 100 Index closed 10.6 points lower at 5248.5, as falls among retail stocks offset some strong gains.

The Footsie index of 100 blue-chip stocks has recovered from an earlier 30-point fall to stand 0.4 points ahead of its opening price at 5796.5 by lunchtime.

The Footsie index of 100 leading stocks is off 20.5 points by 9am to stand at 5775.6, with technology and telecoms shares once again feeling much of the pressure.