Banking stocks were out of favour today amid market worries over tough new capital requirements.

In a trading update for the first 13 weeks of the current financial year, since the end of September, Grafton's Topps Tiles have reported that group like-for-like sales growth declined 18.1%.

The £12.5bn (€15.8bn) takeover of British Energy saw its shares shine today in an otherwise lacklustre session for the London market.

Plans by water supplier Severn Trent to spin off its Biffa waste management business kept the FTSE 100 Index above the 6000 mark today.

Water company Severn Trent starred today as the London market’s top riser after revealing plans to demerge its Biffa waste management business.

Disappointment at the latest results from telecoms giant Vodafone helped put an end to a five-day winning streak by the FTSE 100 Index today.

London shares failed to make headway today as lower oil prices and the aftershock of a US interest rate rise dampened spirits.

The final verdict on Christmas trading in Britain was delivered today as high street stalwarts Boots and WH Smith rounded off the season for sales updates.

Another batch of downbeat reports from the retail sector ensured the FTSE 100 Index retreated further from a recent 30-month high today.

Tile and flooring specialist Topps Tiles today said the home improvements market remained buoyant after forecasting annual profits ahead of market expectations.