Dublin: Struggling telecoms group Eircom has officially recognised the co-ordinating committee representing first lien lenders, it said yesterday, allowing talks on restructuring its debt pile to start.

Less than a fifth of Barclays existing shareholders opted to buy new shares in the bank as part of a £4.5bn (€5.7bn) fund raising scheme, the company said today.

Barclays today outlined plans for a £4.5bn (€5.7bn) cash injection from wealthy overseas investors as part of a move to boost its balance sheet.

Banking giant Barclays today fuelled speculation that it is to seek a £4bn (€5bn) cash injection from overseas investors.

Barclays kept shareholders guessing today over whether it will make a multi-billion pound cash call to bolster its balance sheet.

Beleaguered Northern Rock led the London market into the red today after would-be rescuers came forward with cut-price salvage plans.

Renewed hopes of interest rate cuts in the US lent strength to the London market today as the FTSE 100 Index gained more than 1%.

Potential buyers were today given until Friday to signal interest in US bourse Nasdaq’s 31% stake in the London Stock Exchange.

Qatar could make a £1bn (€1.47bn) swoop to buy almost a third of the London Stock Exchange, it was reported today.

The Australian Stock Exchange today reportedly played down rumours it was eyeing Nasdaq's 31% stake in the London Stock Exchange.

London's blue chip stocks were in negative territory today, giving back some of the gains seen in last week's rally.

The shockwaves resounding around world markets may have seen a host of corporate deals shelved, but the turmoil could yet be decisive in the outcome of the world’s biggest banking takeover.

The Chinese and Singaporean governments became major shareholders in Barclays bank today as the bank raised its offer for Dutch takeover target ABN Amro.

Iconic British ports and ferries company P&O was today said to be looking at a shock return to the London stock market just months after it set sail for Dubai.

Negative sentiment on Wall Street spilled across the Atlantic today as the London markets gave up early gains to plunge into the red.

The London market started the month on a positive note today as stocks in mining and oil companies helped it close above the 6000 threshold.

Mining stocks were in demand in London today after China agreed a deal to import Australian uranium for its nuclear power stations.

Further signs of an imminent bid for BAA emerged today after it was reported Royal Bank of Scotland had a key role in funding a Spanish-led takeover.

The battle for control of ports group P&O looked to be over today after the Singapore-based company PSA declined to improve its offer.

Directors of ports and ferries firm P&O jumped ship today to recommend a £3.55bn (€5.1bn) takeover offer from Singaporean rival PSA International.

The Singapore-based group behind the latest approach for UK firm P&O was today said to be in talks with potential buyers ready to participate in the break up of the ports and ferries giant.

The London market dropped below the 5700 barrier today as strong Christmas trading at Marks & Spencer failed to shield the retailer from profit taking.

Financial stocks were driving gains by the London market today after HBOS became the second bank to raise expectations ahead of their annual results.

British ports and ferries group P&O bowed to a £3.3bn (€4.8bn) takeover from Dubai today as the iconic shipping brand signalled the end of 168 years of independence.

Ports and ferries business P&O agreed to end 168 years of independence today by backing a £3.3bn (€4.8bn) takeover by Dubai’s DP World.

One of the UK’s oldest shipping firms was today said to be setting sail for foreign shores in a multi-billion pound takeover deal.

The FTSE 250 Index raced to a record high today as the wider London market enjoyed another day of strong growth.

THE prospect of a multi-billion euro bidding war for ports and ferries group P&O was fuelled yesterday by reports that a second firm was considering an offer.

The prospect of a multi-billion euro bidding war for ports and ferries group P&O was fuelled today by reports that a second firm was considering an offer.

Ports and ferries group P&O was today reported to be preparing for the £200m (€291m) auction of its refrigerated warehousing division, Cold Logistics.

British engine-maker Rolls-Royce signed an agreement today with a Singapore consortium to invest $100m (€77.6m) to develop a commercially viable power system based on fuel cell technology.

Tiger Airways, the Ryan family investment vehicle, is set to begin operations from Changi airport in Singapore in the second half of 2004, providing flights to destinations in South East Asia.