London’s blue-chip share index failed to hold on to gains today as losses on Wall Street wiped out early progress.

The FTSE 100 Index lost ground for the second session in a row today after US home sales plunged to a record low during May.

The London market was struck by more tremors today as uncertainty continued over Greece’s debt crisis.

London’s FTSE 100 Index took further damage today as the global sell-off sparked by fears of an imminent Greek default continued unabated.

The FTSE 100 Index was hit by a second late sell-off to fall to its lowest level of the year today amid fears over the latest bank crackdown from President Obama.

EMPG, or Education Media & Publishing Group, began life in its current guise in 2007 with the $4 billion takeover of the Harcourt US Schools Education business from European information and publishing group Reed Elsevier.

Sainsbury’s celebrated a strong rise in half-year results today in a buoyant session for the wider London market that saw it touch a year high.

Better than expected third-quarter results from oil major BP helped offset hefty bank share falls on the London market today.

Barclays and Sainsbury’s grabbed the spotlight in a lacklustre session today after Qatari investors cashed in £1.3bn (€1.4bn) of share options in the bank.

Broadcaster ITV’s succession soap opera took a new twist today as another leading candidate for the chairman’s role ruled himself out of the running.

ITV’s long-running succession drama has encountered fresh troubles after Crispin Davis bowed out of chairmanship negotiations, it was reported today.

Shares in part-nationalised Lloyds Banking Group raced 11% ahead today after the bank said the worst of its HBOS bad debts were behind it.

The FTSE 100 Index closed at its highest level since early January today as investors were cheered by a raft of results from corporate heavyweights.

The London market continued its march upwards today after a raft of earnings received a warm welcome.

The rally on the London market hit a new five-and-a-half-year high today as the FTSE 100 Index closed up for the eighth session in a row.

The FTSE 100 Index clung to its opening mark today as progress was held back by poor corporate news flow and disappointing figures from the key services sector.

Further gloomy economic news from the US sent the FTSE 100 Index into negative territory today amid signs the word's biggest economy is far from recovery.

Disappointing US economic data held back gains on London’s leading share index today as falls on Wall Street offset another strong session for banks.

The FTSE 100 Index ticked higher today as widespread protests ahead of Thursday’s G20 summit failed to unsettle blue-chip stocks.

The London market suffered a fourth day of losses in a row today as economic concerns weighed on commodity and financial stocks.

The London market suffered a fourth day of losses in a row today as economic concerns weighed on commodity and financial stocks.

The FTSE 100 Index gained more than 1% today amid rising hopes that policymakers will hold off from tackling inflation with interest rate hikes.

Energy companies took a tumble today after regulator Ofgem opened an inquiry into the electricity and gas supply markets.

The London market moved well into positive territory today as trading gained momentum amid hopes of more interest rate cuts in the US.

Banking stocks ended the final full trading session of the year on the back foot today as fears over the sector’s fortunes sent shares down.

London's blue-chip index was today stuck in negative territory following the latest gloomy survey on the UK housing market.

THE value of mergers and acquisitions involving Irish companies in the third quarter of this year was over €5 billion, almost three times the value of deals in the same quarter of last year, the latest M&A Tracker survey from corporate finance firm Ion Equity has said.

Shares in Northern Rock nose-dived again today as customers continued to withdraw funds amid mounting concerns over the future of the lender.

Banking and housebuilding shares were shaken today after Northern Rock said turmoil in the credit markets had forced it to seek help from the Bank of England.

The FTSE 100 Index finished moderately higher after an unconvincing session for world markets today.

A MULTI-million euro Cork-based employee share scheme company will create up to 50 jobs in Clonakilty over the next two years following the announcement it has secured $3.25m (€2.3m) in funding.

Fears of another hike in interest rates overshadowed trading today as London’s blue-chips finished in the red.

London’s blue-chips were under pressure today as key UK inflation data left investors fearing another imminent interest rate rise.

Riverdeep has bought publisher Reed Elsevier's US education arm, Harcourt for €2.9bn.

London’s blue-chips made a lacklustre start to the week today after a poor showing from heavily-weighted mining stocks hindered progress.

Financial and mining stocks led a rally for London’s leading shares as takeover speculation continued to buoy the market.

The London market soared past the 6500 level today, maintaining its six-and-a-half-year high amid further merger and acquisition activity.

MERGER fever resulted in a trebling of merger and acquisition deals in the first quarter of 2007 to €4.2 billion, according to the latest figures from Ion Equity.

A BOOM year for mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity for 2007 is predicted in Ireland, with growth of 30% to 40% in both value and volume expected.

Profit taking and weaker metal prices caused the mining sector to drag on the London market today, while fading hopes of a bid battle for supermarket giant Sainsbury did little to cheer investors.

Weak performance from the mining sector and fading hopes of a takeover tussle for supermarket giant Sainsbury weighed heavy on the London market today.

Strong gains from publisher Reed Elsevier and drinks giant Diageo failed to encourage the FTSE 100 Index to take further steps from the 6,400 barrier today.

European publishing group Reed Elsevier today unveiled plans to offload its under-performing Harcourt education business.