The FTSE 100 Index pared back early losses today, but remained under pressure amid investor caution.

Prudential's top bosses today defied calls to quit over the collapse of its $35.5bn (€29.5bn) bid for US insurance giant AIG's Asian arm.

Prudential’s top bosses today defied calls to quit over the collapse of its $35.5bn bid for US insurance giant AIG’s Asian arm.

Insurer Prudential was left with a £450m (€542m) bill today after its £24bn (€28.9bn) Asian adventure came to a humiliating end.

Prudential’s bid for the Asian arm of AIG was in danger of collapsing today after the American insurer snubbed an attempt to cut the price of the deal.

Speculation was mounting today that Prudential may walk away from a deal to buy the Asian arm of US insurer AIG if it cannot renegotiate the price.

The FTSE 100 Index maintained its recovery rally today despite Wall Street opening in the red.

UK blue chip stocks rallied for a second session today after a fightback for financial firms and miners.

The FTSE 100 Index tumbled below 5000 today as world markets suffered another punishing session on fears over Europe and global economic growth.

The FTSE 100 Index crept into positive territory today during another choppy session dominated by worries over the scale of Europe’s debt crisis.

Prudential launched the UK's biggest ever rights issue today as it looks to fund the controversial acquisition of AIG Group's Asia business.

Prudential launched the UK’s biggest ever rights issue today as it looks to fund the controversial acquisition of AIG Group’s Asia business.

Prudential will make a last-ditch attempt to win over investors this week as it prepares to relaunch its £24bn (€28.18bn) offer for AIG’s Asian arm.

The FTSE 100 Index powered to gains of more than 1% today despite investors dumping shares in Prudential for the second session in a row.

The FTSE 100 Index held firm in positive territory today, but it was a tough session for blue chip insurers Prudential and Admiral.

The FTSE 100 Index climbed to its highest level in more than a month today despite heavy falls for Prudential and HSBC.

British insurance giant Prudential confirmed today that it was working on a deal to buy the Asian arm of embattled US group AIG.

Another strong session for blue chip insurers helped London’s leading share index close in positive territory today, despite heavy falls among banks.

Falls among banks offset more strong advances in the insurance sector today as HSBC plunged lower in the wake of its £12.5bn (€13.3bn) rights issue approval.

British insurer Prudential today set out to allay capital strength fears with news of a £1.7bn (€1.9bn) buffer and annuity funds that could withstand a repeat of the Great Depression.

The FTSE 100 Index gave back early gains today as recession fears continued to drag on stocks.

Insurers made strong advances on the London market today as blue chip stocks regained their poise in a less volatile session.

Battered financial stocks HBOS and Aviva recovered ground today as the FTSE 100 Index consolidated gains seen over the past two sessions.

British insurer Prudential today said it was strong enough to withstand much heavier downturns in stock markets and the economy as it sought to soothe investor nerves.

Prudential shares recovered ground today amid speculation the insurer is working on a potential deal to buy part of US insurance giant AIG.

Insurance giant Prudential today said its strategy to focus on profitable business in the UK had paid off following “clear” full-year profit growth at its domestic arm.

The FTSE 100 Index dropped back into negative territory after more volatile trading today as persistent US recession fears held back a London recovery.

The FTSE 100 Index fell by as much as 2% today after inflation concerns and weaker oil stocks combined to derail the London market’s recovery.

Employees at British life insurance giant Prudential were today expecting to hear the outcome of a review into the future of 3,000 jobs.

British-based financial services company Prudential's domestic business remained under pressure today after third quarter sales lagged behind its operations elsewhere in the world.

The saga over Prudential’s sale of internet bank Egg took a final twist today when it emerged the Pru netted less than expected for the firm.

A late rally from London's leading shares stemmed losses on the market, after stocks around the world headed into the red following shock data from China which suggested its economy may be out of control.

Prudential said today that the work of 2,000 UK staff was under review after it outlined plans for cost savings worth £195m (€285.5m) a year.

Jobs in the UK business of Prudential looked under threat today after it was reported the insurer planned to announce a major outsourcing drive.

Insurer Prudential agreed to part company with banking group Egg for £575m (€871m) today – just a year after it took complete control of the business.

The London market made further progress today as the Dow Jones Industrial Average traded above 12,000 for the second session running in New York.

Banking stocks led the London market into the red today after Egg owner Prudential warned of a “marked deterioration” in market trends.

A cut in spending by UK consumers forced insurer Prudential to admit today that its Egg internet banking arm would make a half-year loss.

A strong performance from financial stocks boosted the London markets today, offsetting heavy losses from steel maker Corus.

Shares in London continued their forward march today boosted by renewed takeover speculation surrounding insurance giant Prudential.

The London market slid into the red today as the scale of losses by internet bank Egg hurt owner Prudential.

Norwich Union owner Aviva today abandoned plans to take over rival Prudential following the rejection of a £17bn (€24.5bn) bid.

Strong gains by steel maker Corus were offset by a bout of profit taking as the FTSE 100 Index struggled for direction today.

TAKEOVER fever gripped the Irish market yesterday driven by the £17 billion (€24.5bn) takeover offer for the Prudential in Britain by Aviva, owners of Hibernian Group in Ireland.