The FTSE 100 Index continued to fluctuate today as the London market set about putting back losses seen in its previous two sessions.

More Than insurer Royal & Sun Alliance (R&SA) benefited from a healthy performance in the UK to beat market expectations for annual profits today.

Disappointment at the latest round of corporate news sent the FTSE 100 Index into the red today.

The recovery of Royal & Sun Alliance gathered pace today after the UK-based insurer posted a doubling of profits in the first nine months of the year.

The FTSE 100 Index racked up its fourth straight session of gains today despite dismay at the latest development in the O2 takeover.

Fading hopes of a bidding battle for mobile phone operator O2 drove the FTSE 100 Index into negative territory today.

Hurricane Katrina was today estimated to have inflicted losses of up to £2m (€37m) on insurance giant Royal & Sun Alliance.

The FTSE 100 Index was trading in positive territory today after a key Bank of England report failed to cause any shocks in the London market.

The London market held its nerve today to secure its best finish since the summer of 2002.

The FTSE 100 Index was on track to end the week at its highest level in three years today as the sky-high cost of crude boosted oil stocks.

Insurers helped propel the London market higher today after a financier confirmed he was looking at bidding for Royal & Sun Alliance.

A negative response by oil majors to falling crude prices kept a lid on gains by top flight shares today.

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

Insurance group Royal & Sun Alliance today said its profits had trebled in the first three months of 2005 as benefits flowed from its restructuring programme.

Royal & Sun Alliance today said it was delivering on its strategy after unveiling details of an improved performance in 2004.

The FTSE 100 Index was back on track today as insurers helped it claw back some of yesterday’s heavy losses.

The London market managed to retain some of its earlier gains despite oil prices hitting record levels today.

Fresh supply worries pushed oil prices back to record levels today and helped squash any hopes of a much-needed rally for London shares.

A string of corporate updates was guiding investors today as the London market picked up momentum following yesterday’s losses.

Investors in London picked up where counterparts in New York left off last night as a late flurry for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lifted London shares today.

Royal & Sun Alliance unveiled a 14% fall in half-year profits today as it focused on its position as the UK’s second biggest general insurer.

Royal & Sun Alliance is to raise £850m (€1.3bn) from the sale of the UK life insurance operation it closed to new business two years ago, it emerged today.

Insurer Royal & Sun Alliance posted a 30% rise in operating profits to £100m (€148.8m) today but said more remained to be done on its restructuring programme.

The FTSE 100 index lost ground today as investors took profits ahead of big economic numbers in the US tomorrow.

London’s FTSE 100 Index finished a lacklustre trading session with an unusual flourish today – unchanged at the same point it started the day.

London’s leading shares regained some of their earlier momentum today as market watchers predicted an upbeat return to trading on Wall Street.

Embattled insurance giant Royal & Sun Alliance today announced it had freed up £540m (€750m) from the flotation of Promina, its Australian and New Zealand business.

A LACKLUSTRE session ended on the back foot yesterday as the FTSE 100 Index failed to break the 4200 mark. Blue-chip shares initially pushed ahead but later started to ease.

A lacklustre session ended on the back foot today as the FTSE 100 Index failed to break past the 4200 mark.

London shares eased today despite hopes of modest gains on Wall Street later this afternoon.

Trading on the London market eased today as investors registered their disappointment with the Bank of England’s decision to leave interest rates on hold.

BLUE-CHIP shares raced ahead yesterday to end an otherwise gloomy week on a high note.