Royal Bank of Scotland suffered an 8% tumble today following news that it would have to offload greater-than-expected chunks of its business as part of negotiations over state aid.

Directories group Yell today said it had finally won sufficient support from lenders to press ahead with plans to refinance its £3.8bn (€4.2bn) debt mountain.

The London market’s recent recovery proved fragile today as blue-chip stocks slid almost 2% into the red.

The FTSE 100 Index was on the back foot today amid more bleak news for the retail sector in the run-up to Christmas.

Blue chip stocks saw more heavy losses today as disappointment over the Bank of England’s quarter-point interest rate cut sent the London market plummeting 2.6%.

BT and Yell were punished by investors today after the telecoms-based pair provided the City with cause for concern in third quarter results.

British directories firm Yell soothed the nerves of investors today as it continued its battle against “fierce” competition in the United States.

London’s leading shares lost 2% today as weaker oil prices and fresh fears over the US economy rocked investors.

A robust start to the interim results season failed to kickstart the London market today, with retailing and mining stocks among those on the back foot.

Yellow Pages firm Yell in the UK raised hopes today that it will be able to fend off strong competition in its United States market.

Food to fashion retailer Marks & Spencer led the blue chip fallers on the London market today as the group's cautious outlook took the shine off strong profits.

The London market was in retreat today amid negative sentiment over major blue-chips including Marks & Spencer and GlaxoSmithKline.

A warning about intense competition in the United States caused shares in directories group Yell to dive by as much as 17% today.

A takeover bid for Scottish Power and the dramatic appointment of a new boss at ITV failed to lift the London market today as a weakening US dollar continued to take its toll.

Marks & Spencer led the FTSE 100 Index forward today with a stellar performance as strong half-year figures from the resurgent retailer sent its shares to a record high.

Marks & Spencer shares hit a new record today as investors celebrated a sparkling set of half-year figures from the resurgent retailer.

UK Yellow Pages owner Yell was today facing the possibility of new price controls after a watchdog said competition in the directories market was not working.

The London market made steady gains today in the wake of a positive finish for leading stocks in New York last night.

The widely anticipated bounce in London share prices finally materialised today putting back some of the billions wiped out in recent plunges.

M&S shares lost some of their sparkle today as investors took the opportunity to take profits after a strong run for the recovering blue-chip company.

THE worst moment for an after-dinner speaker is the point when a silver teaspoon is clanged off a glass for silence.

Investors in Yell voiced their disappointment today with a £2.3 billion deal for a leading publisher of directories in Spain.

The FTSE 100 Index overcame a tentative start to move back within touching distance of the 5800 barrier today.

Mining stocks led the FTSE 100 Index above the 5700 mark again today as it clawed back losses made earlier in the week.

Early profit taking and weak passenger figures from airports operator BAA weighed on the London market today following a poor session overnight in New York.

The owner of UK telephone directory the Yellow Pages reported a strong first quarter today and said it was on-track to meet full-year hopes.

Enthusiasm for blue-chip stocks was evident in London today despite concerns over UK inflation and a disappointing start to trading on Wall Street.

The FTSE 100 Index failed to move far from its opening mark today despite a boost from across the Atlantic and a string of positive corporate updates.

The owner of Yellow Pages, the UK version of the Golden Pages, bolstered it US operation today with a deal worth £829m (€1.2bn) for a leading directories publisher in California and Texas.

Investors eyeing a potential £7.2bn takeover of drinks giant Allied Domecq helped stir the London market back into life today.

A potential takeover offer for drinks giant Allied Domecq today helped the FTSE 100 Index to bed in above the 4900 barrier.

The babblings of television’s “chilled-out entertainer” David Brent are better known than quotes from the giants of English literature, a survey said today.

Department store group John Lewis Partnership is the biggest private company in Britain with annual sales of more than £4 billion while four of Richard Branson's companies make the list, it emerged yesterday.

Nervy investors were dealt another blow today as Irish drinks and snacks company C&C called off a planned €1.1bn flotation just hours before a deadline to sign up for shares.

British Telecom today sold its Yellow Pages business, Yell, for £2.14bn to help cut its debt mountain.

A casual flick through the Yellow Pages enabled Rob Henderson to transform his career from a useful club player to Lions tourist.

British Telecom chief executive Peter Bonfield could earn almost £3m this year after signing a new contract with the group, it emerged today.