Investors enjoyed a good session in London today as rising commodity prices boosted heavyweight stocks and the Bank of England left interest rates on hold.

The London market again tested highs not seen for nearly five years today as the FTSE 100 Index spent much of the day above the 5900 mark.

The FTSE 100 Index finished today back above the 5200 level as investors adopted a defiant mood after yesterday’s London bombings.

Speculation was mounting today that troubled retailer Marks & Spencer would offer investors less for their shares than the £4 (€5.89) promised by billionaire Philip Green in his takeover bid.

London shares extended their winning streak to a fourth session today as investors turned their eyes towards the key 4600 barrier.

Marks & Spencer is no longer the UK’s largest clothing retailer after losing its crown to supermarket chain Asda, it was reported today.

Britain’s biggest supermarket chain Tesco increased its share of the British grocery market last month at the expense of rival Sainsbury’s, which is struggling to cut prices as much as its competitors, according to a report published by market-research company Taylor Nelson Sofres.

London-based market research company Taylor Nelson Sofres has reported full-year profits up 34% to £65.3m (€97.7m) in 2003.

The FTSE 100 Index slid back below the 4,000 mark today as banking and insurance stocks continued to weigh on the market.