Investors were closely watching developments at the top of two of London’s leading companies today.

Jitters across the Atlantic were felt in London today as stocks from a range of sectors pulled the FTSE 100 Index back from a four-and-a-half year high.

Supermarket group Sainsbury’s was in the doldrums again today as the London market continued to feel the impact of yesterday’s retail reporting frenzy.

Retailers in the UK ran for cover today after a gloomy Christmas update from Waterstone’s owner HMV cast a shadow over a clutch of mid-cap firms.

Drugs group Innovata today agreed a deal to allow US rival Baxter International to market its treatment for internal scarring suffered during surgery.

Profit-takers caused the London market to fall back today, yet failed to lessen the shine of a better-than-expected year for the FTSE 100 Index.

The London market suffered from some heavy end-of-year selling today after yesterday’s four-and-a-half year high.

The London market resumed its upward path today despite a blow for firms in the DIY sector.

The fragility of investor confidence was exposed today when the FTSE 100 Index lost hold of early gains of 66 points to close in negative territory.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the week above the 5400 threshold for the first time in four years as bid speculation showed no sign of quietening down.

London’s top shares moved back into the black today despite a negative impact from shares going ex-dividend.

Mining stocks dragged the FTSE 100 Index down today as record results from industry giant BHP Billiton failed to cheer investors.

Rentokil Initial led the FTSE 100 Index to a positive finish today after news of a possible takeover offer sent its shares surging.

Progress by telecoms and oil stocks helped the FTSE 100 Index reverse a recent losing streak today.

A rise in the price of oil helped the FTSE 100 Index end its recent downward spell today as investors piled back into energy stocks.

Energy stocks led the FTSE 100 Index to a sixth consecutive day of losses today after the price of oil fell off its record highs.

The FTSE 100 Index gave up the chance to set a new three-year high today as investors reeled from probable hurricane damage to a rig owned by oil giant BP.

The FTSE 100 Index was within touching distance of the 5100 barrier tonight as investors brushed off concerns about soaring oil prices.

Record oil prices and weaker banking stocks took the shine off the London market’s recent three-year high today.

The London market failed to extend a recent rally today as investors found few reasons to commit their cash.

The London market ended today back above the 5000 level after investors took heart from news about US interest rates.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the week below the 5000 mark today after disappointing unemployment data in the United States.

London shares ended a week of progress with further gains today after positive economic news in the United States.

The FTSE 100 Index was set for a positive end to the week today after the General Election result broadly met City forecasts.

The top flight finished today comfortably in the black, but failed to make up much of the week’s losses.

Retailers held the London market back today after the collapse of a potential bid for Woolworths and news of flat sales at Argos.

The London market suffered a late sell-off today after the United States said its trade deficit had ballooned to a record $61bn (€47.4bn) in February.

The FTSE 100 Index closed at highest level since mid-March today as oil and mining stocks gushed higher.

Investors eyeing a potential £7.2bn takeover of drinks giant Allied Domecq helped stir the London market back into life 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.

Drugs companies and miners were weighing on the London market today as traders started the week on a negative note.

The London market broke back through the 5000 barrier today as high crude prices kept oil majors in the pink.

It was the boom that promised to make millions rich – yet five years to the day from the peak of the dotcom fervour, investors are still counting the cost.

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

Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis is set to become the world’s biggest maker of generic drugs after today announcing the details of an acquisition spree worth €5.65bn.

Fresh takeover talk surrounding Allied Domecq failed to keep the FTSE 100 Index in the black today.

The FTSE 100 Index closed at the 5000 barrier for the first time since 2002 today as Dulux owner ICI added the gloss to a positive day for blue-chip stocks.

The London market remained in the red today as investors reacted coolly to a string of updates from blue chips.

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

The FTSE 100 Index clung on above the 4800 mark today as negative sentiment towards blue-chip shares spilled over to the UK from Wall Street.

Worse-than-expected economic news from across the Atlantic prompted a sell-off of London shares today.

Top flight shares ended the week on a new two-and-a-half-year high today after investors kept faith in Marks & Spencer.

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