British sporting goods retailer Sports Direct’s pre-tax profits increased by almost 10% to £160.6m (€203.6m) in the first half of the year, according to its latest set of accounts.

Billionaire Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct International made a £43m (€55m) bet on a recovery in Tesco’s share price, days after the biggest UK grocer said it overstated its profit forecast.

Tesco executives may be hauled before MPs to explain the supermarket giant’s “stratospheric” error over its inflated profits guidance.

Sports Direct International, the UK’s biggest sporting-goods retailer, said investors approved a multi-million-pound bonus for billionaire founder Mike Ashley, succeeding in passing an award that was blocked twice before.

Global stock markets powered ahead today on renewed hopes America's money-printing presses will continue to roll.

Mike Ashley’s sportswear empire is expanding on two fronts in Europe after snapping up controlling stakes in a pair of retailers on the continent.

Continuing talks over the US budget deficit sapped appetite for risk today as the FTSE 100 Index started the week on the back foot.

JJB Sports will close its Irish stores and gyms tonight with the loss of 100 jobs.

The retail sector was firmly in the spotlight on the London market today after a raft of weather-hit updates from leading high street chains.

Strong corporate earnings figures in the US boosted markets today but the UK's slide back into recession left London's leading shares index with only lacklustre gains.

The survival hopes of ailing sportswear chain JJB Sports were lifted today despite another batch of negative trading figures.

A successful Spanish bond auction and strong German economic data eased fears over the eurozone crisis and drove world markets higher today.

London’s leading shares index made cautious gains today despite ratings downgrades for six of the world’s largest banks.

London’s blue chips recovered more ground as markets across Europe ended a volatile week on a rising note.

FORMER finance minister Charlie McCreevy has been appointed to the board of online spread betting and share trading firm, Worldspreads as a non-executive director.

Former finance minister Charlie McCreevy has joined the board of financial market trading company WorldSpreads.

Kildare: Sports Direct International have appointed Charlie McCreevy, a former European Union commissioner and Minister for Finance, as a non-executive director.

The FTSE 100 Index closed in the red for a second straight session today after a mixed report on the US jobs market.

Cautious trading ahead of key US jobs data left the FTSE 100 Index in the red today as investors moved to lock-in recent gains.

Investors enjoyed a buoyant start to the year today after the FTSE 100 Index powered beyond the 6000 barrier and BP shares jumped 5%.

The FTSE 100 Index finished slightly down today as speculation over a Chinese interest rate rise dented shares in miners.

BP slid 2% today as investor fears over the cost of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill resurfaced in the wake of legal action by the US government.

Sportswear firms Sports Direct International and JJB Sports will not face charges following an investigation by the UK's Serious Fraud Office into allegations of cartel activity, it was disclosed today.

The FTSE 100 Index just managed to keep its head above water today after spending much of the session in the red following mixed economic data from the US and concerns over European debt.

Retailer Sports Direct International cheered more than 2,000 staff today as it said annual earnings of £160.4m (€191m) were enough to trigger the first stage of its bonus scheme.

The FTSE 100 Index broke a three-day losing streak today despite another turbulent session for beleaguered oil giant BP.

Shares in beleaguered oil giant BP slipped below the 400p level today during another see-saw session for London’s FTSE 100 Index.

The London market suffered more losses today as Greece’s debt turmoil and disappointment over earnings from mobile phone handset giant Nokia hit stocks worldwide.

Greece’s debt turmoil and disappointment over earnings from mobile phone handset giant Nokia triggered a slump for world markets today.

The London market dived below the 5700 mark today as economic fears resurfaced on news that the Greek budget deficit was bigger than expected.

Sports Direct International today said robust trading over the Easter holiday had kept it on course to meet its recently improved profits target.

The London market made tentative gains today after European leaders said they stood “shoulder to shoulder” with debt-laden Greece but failed to outline a rescue plan.

BT’s £9bn (€10.2bn) pensions black hole caused further anxiety for investors today after it revealed that the Pensions Regulator still had “substantial concerns” about the company’s plans for tackling the deficit.

London’s blue chip share index pushed into positive territory today after the Bank of England held steady on its monetary policy and financial firms climbed.

Sports World owner Sports Direct International was on course to make payouts to thousands of UK staff today after raising profit forecasts for the second time this year.

Sportswear retailer JJB reported half-year losses of £42.9m (€47.5m) today as the company battled for survival in the first half of the year.

JD Sports Fashion posted an 11% rise in profits today as it continued to show a clean pair of heels to troubled rivals in the sportswear sector.

London's FTSE 100 Index touched the 5000 mark for the first time in almost a year today as investor confidence showed little sign of waning.

Sports World owner Sports Direct International today raised its annual earnings forecast after enjoying a jump in sales during the summer.

Renewed hopes of a takeover for Friends Provident sent the insurer's shares soaring today, but part-nationalised banks suffered amid uncertainty over future prospects.

The London market was given a late session boost from the US today, but the lift was not enough to save Royal Bank of Scotland from plunging into the red.

JJB Sports chairman David Jones is expected to face a public grilling from business rival Mike Ashley over a controversial £1.5m (€1.7m) loan at the group’s annual general meeting today.

Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct International today reported a 91% dive in profits after its “strategic stakes” in rival retailers were frozen.

Newcastle were today still attempting to finalise a deal to secure Alan Shearer as their manager.