GlaxoSmithKline gave investors a dose of good news today as the drugs giant prevented the London market from closing in negative territory.

The FTSE 100 Index slumped to its lowest level in three months today as a profits warning from B&Q owner Kingfisher cast a chill over the retail sector.

British Gas owner Centrica discussed a £19bn (€27bn) merger with a Norwegian rival as it battles to overcome dwindling gas stocks in the North Sea, it was reported today.

Catering group Compass helped drag the FTSE 100 Index to another two-month low today as the market failed to hold on to earlier gains.

Relief at higher oil stocks in the United States helped the FTSE 100 Index climb back from yesterday’s two-month low today.

London shares received a pre-Easter boost today when insurance giant Prudential led the FTSE 100 Index to a positive end to the week.

Ports and ferries group P&O will this week report annual losses of around £200m (€290.4m) after counting the cost of a radical restructuring.

The FTSE 100 Index received a much-needed shot in the arm today when a ruling on a blockbuster drug boosted shares in pharmaceutical firms.

Blue-chip firms in the drugs and utilities sectors experienced contrasting fortunes during a lacklustre session for the FTSE 100 Index today.

The FTSE 100 Index failed to move into positive territory today despite a major boost for drugmakers.

The London market ended today firmly in the black after overcoming fresh concerns about interest rates.

The FTSE 100 Index was within striking distance of the 5000 barrier today, after soaring to its highest level since June 2002.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a mini-rally late on today in the wake of positive economic news from the United States.

The London market staged a late rally today to overcome dismay at the worst Christmas sales data for more than 20 years.

The fall-out from a disappointing week for US earnings reports pushed the FTSE 100 Index back below the 4,800 mark today.

CABLE company NTL is to sell its network of communication masts and towers after agreeing a deal worth €1.84 billion, it was announced yesterday.

The threat to investor confidence from rising oil prices was exposed today as the London market racked up heavy losses for a second session in a row.

British high street retailer WH Smith was today reported to be on the brink of unveiling Severn Trent boss Robert Walker as its new chairman.

The FTSE 100 Index soared to a 29-month high today as fresh hopes that interest rates will stay on hold for the rest of the year and lower oil prices cheered investors.

British oil and gas firm BG Group today said profits gushed 28% higher in the third quarter after the price of oil hit record highs.

The London market’s seven-day winning streak came to an end today following a poor start to the session on Wall Street.

The seven-day winning streak of blue-chip shares was on course to end today after profit takers moved into the London market.

The London market wrapped up a week of progress today by moving within touching distance of the 4500 barrier.

The London market made further gains today despite the majority of investors being kept on the sidelines by a lack of corporate news.

Former British Conservative Party leader William Hague has been appointed to the board of an Irish software group, it emerged today.

Positive jobs figures from across the Atlantic helped the London market end the week on a high note today.

Companies in the telecoms and energy sectors will be among UK market heavyweights updating investors on their progress this week.

BAE Systems has turned to oil giant BP to fill one of the most important jobs in the UK defence industry, it was reported today.

United Utilities today confirmed its interest in operating the regional gas distribution networks being sold by energy group National Grid Transco.

Evidence of a turnaround in the economy and a raft of corporate news sent the FTSE 100 Index to the highest level seen for a year.

Early hopes that the FTSE 100 Index could end the month clear of the 4200 level had evaporated by the time trading closed today – more than 66 points off its morning high.

London’s FTSE 100 Index gave back early gains today as the top flight once more settled near the 4200 mark.

London shares shrugged off the uncertainty caused by the blackout in America today to build on the previous session’s record high for the year.

The FTSE 100 Index completed another positive session today despite surrendering most of its earlier gains.

Hopes earlier in the week that share prices were now on an upward curve suffered a blow today as the FTSE 100 Index closed sharply down.

London’s leading shares nosed back into positive territory today, ending a run of five straight sessions in the red.

The FTSE 100 Index continued to show some of its new found resilience today after clawing back from a dramatic 98.5 point fall.

Next week will be a busy one in the London market. As well as British Chancellor Gordon Brown’s Pre-Budget Report, investors will be digesting a swathe of updates from some of Britain’s best known companies, including Abbey National, Tesco and Granada.