Shares in battered British property group Canary Wharf soared 51% today after the company revealed it had received a series of takeover approaches.

London’s leading shares endured a session of uncertainty today as dealers remained concerned about the potential for a protracted conflict in Iraq.

London shares reflected uncertainty over the length of the conflict in the Gulf today as the FTSE 100 remained close to its opening mark.

Share prices in London reacted to the expected onset of hostilities in the Gulf by posting a fifth successive session of gains today.

The hostile bidding war brewing around Six Continents heated up today with the pubs to hotels group firmly rejecting a £5.5bn (€8bn) bid from entrepreneur Hugh Osmond.

Investors shied away from the London market today with trading volumes remaining low on the back of continued war fears and economic worries.

London shares edged lower today as the mood continued to be hit by war fears and economic worries.

UK entrepreneur Hugh Osmond will make a hostile bid for the leisure group Six Continents if his proposed offer is rebuffed, it emerged today.

UK pubs entrepreneur Hugh Osmond is planning a takeover bid for hotels and pubs chain Six Continents, it was confirmed today.

London’s leading shares hovered around opening levels this morning as a raft of company news failed to ignite trading.

Investors remained on the sidelines of the London market today as thin volumes and an absence of significant corporate news led to a subdued session trading.

The London market closed a fraction above its opening level today as gains from oil and insurance shares were offset by slides from Lloyds TSB and Invensys.

Belgian beer giant Interbrew stuck by its full-year targets today despite posting a slide in profits.

THE London market finished on a rare high note yesterday after an upbeat start on Wall Street boosted trading.

The London market finished on a rare high note today after an upbeat start on Wall Street boosted trading.

The FTSE 100 Index is edging towards the 5200 mark, gaining 32.1 points at 5193.1.

Belgian brewing giant Interbrew has sold Carling Brewers to US beer group Adolph Coors in a £1.2bn deal.

London shares have continued climbing, boosted by a strong performance from the US markets.

Six Continents - formerly known as Bass - is expected to show the impact of September 11 and the economic slowdown when it reports on Thursday.

The Footsie index of 100 leading stocks is off 38.8 points at 5422.8 at mid-morning as tech and telecoms shares suffer more heavy losses.

Bass plans to change its name to Six Continents after selling off its traditional brewing operations.