The FTSE 100 Index held its ground above the 5200 mark today to close at its highest level for more than a year.

The London market ended the quarter in the red today amid disquieting US economic news, but it has still posted the biggest three-month rise in its history.

Investors turned against financial stocks again today as the sector pulled the FTSE 100 Index down more than 2%.

More than £50 billion was wiped off the value of blue chip stocks today as news of Lehman Brothers’ dramatic demise spread havoc throughout world stock markets.

Crisis-hit Northern Rock will be booted out of the FTSE 100 Index on Christmas Eve under the biggest overhaul of the index since the September 11 terrorist attacks, it was confirmed today.

The London market today lost some of its recent gains, as weakness in the oil and gas sector dragged the blue-chip stock index down.

Rival British tour operators MyTravel and Thomas Cook are to join forces after revealing plans for a £2.8bn (€4.2bn) merger today in a move that has sparked fears of job losses.

Tour operators MyTravel and Thomas Cook today announced plans to merge.