BT’s £9bn (€10.2bn) pensions black hole caused further anxiety for investors today after it revealed that the Pensions Regulator still had “substantial concerns” about the company’s plans for tackling the deficit.

The FTSE 100 Index slid more than 3% today amid more woes in the banking sector and fears of bankruptcy among major US carmakers.

Drugs giant Glaxosmithkline is set to axe thousands of jobs when it announces its full-year results this week, it was reported today.

Drugs giant AstraZeneca today upped its earnings guidance for the year after reporting a better-than-expected hike in third quarter profits.

Internet security specialist nCipher is to be bought by defence electronics firm Thales under a £50.7m (€63.4m) deal announced today.

The company behind 'Doctor Who' and 'Spiderman' toys today said there was light at the end of the tunnel for investors despite disappointing Christmas trading.

Plans for an £89bn (€131bn) merger of British bank Barclays and ABN Amro came under more pressure today after the Dutch bank’s shares surged on hopes of a rival offer.

UK investors will be focused on the retail sector this week as some major names from the high street are due to post trading updates or results.

Tesco boss Terry Leahy today clocked up 10 years at the helm of UK’s biggest supermarket chain.

A toy company best known for its robotic reptiles and Little Britain dolls looked to be on course for a bumper Christmas season today.

Shares in drugs giant AstraZeneca today fell 4% after an American court ruled patents covering a key heart drug were invalid.

Only 13 blue-chip stocks made it into positive territory today as the FTSE 100 Index tumbled on the back of softening oil and copper prices.

Powergen owner E.On pulled plans to bid for Scottish Power today after being told a proposed offer worth £11.3bn (€16.5bn) failed to meet expectations.

GlaxoSmithKline is set to announce this week that it could produce millions of doses of vaccine within four months of the declaration of a bird flu pandemic, it was reported today.

Retailer Next’s share of the childrenswear market has surged to more than double that of rival Marks & Spencer, research is expected to show this week.

Shares in aerospace group Rolls-Royce soared more than 10% today after it boosted its dividend and half-year profits.

The blasts that hit businesses in London this morning led to events being cancelled and will disrupt mail deliveries across the UK.

The British Airports Authority has said a 3% rise in Heathrow Express passengers helped lift underlying operating profits at the division to £16m (€23m).

ITV shares made further heavy gains yesterday after reports said former BBC director general Greg Dyke may launch a £6 billion takeover bid.

ITV shares made further heavy gains today after reports said former BBC director general Greg Dyke may launch a £6bn (€8.6bn) takeover bid.

Tesco shares were at an all-time high today after the retail giant brushed aside reports of a spending slowdown to post another leap in sales.

Companies ranging from airports operator BAA to ugar producer Tate & Lyle will be making the news during a busy week ahead in London.

The FTSE 100 Index closed the week at a fresh two-year high today after a spectacular rally boosted top-flight shares.

Former British Steel group Corus is to finally break its loss-making mould with much-improved half-year results later this week, analysts said today.

The pace of corporate news is set to quicken this week with heavyweights including spirits group Diageo and Associated British Ports due to report. Results are also expected in the UK engineering, pubs and leisure sectors.

Engineering groups will feature heavily in the list of blue-chip companies updating the London market on their latest results this week.

With no major UK companies reporting results this week, the spotlight will move on to the FTSE 250 Index and give the minnows a chance to shine.

Weak technology stocks and downbeat news from the US have dented London trading.