Embattled British pubs group Mitchells & Butlers today confirmed talks to buy the managed pub business from its rival and former takeover suitor Punch Taverns.

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.

Stricken bank Northern Rock is one of seven blue chip firms expected to be relegated from the FTSE 100 Index today, in its biggest shake-up since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Stricken bank Northern Rock was today named as one of seven blue chip firms set for relegation from the FTSE 100 Index in its biggest shake-up since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The FTSE 100 Index is heading for its biggest shake up since the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks as companies feel the force of the global credit crunch.

UK pubs giant Punch Taverns today poured cold water on speculation it was in talks over a £5bn (€7bn) merger deal with the owner of bar chain All Bar One.

All Bar One and Harvester owner Mitchells & Butlers today said costs linked to its shelved property deal had more than doubled amid the current credit crisis.

The UK’s third biggest supermarket Sainsbury’s is today reported to be seeking a “put up or shut up” order if it does not receive a firm offer from its Qatari-backed suitors this week.

The Qatari fund circling supermarket Sainsbury’s was today under pressure to increase its takeover offer after reportedly failing to win the support of a major shareholder.

The London market was back on the front foot today as investors regained their nerve after yesterday’s sell-off on both sides of the Atlantic.

London’s blue-chips made firm progress today after the market was buoyed by takeover speculation and solid trading updates.

Sainsbury’s suitor and Qatari royal family-backed investment vehicle Delta Two has been thrust into the limelight by its interest in snapping up the supermarket giant, but until now little has been known of the seemingly deep-pocketed fund.

Commodity stocks provided a welcome uplift for the London market today after a rise in base metal and oil prices.

A Qatari-backed investment fund tightened its grip on Sainsbury’s today after revealing it now owned 25% of the supermarket chain.

The future of Sainsbury’s was back in the spotlight today after it emerged that a Qatari-backed investment group had built a 25% stake in the supermarket chain.

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.

The London market closed in negative territory today despite a strong showing from mining and oil stocks.

Mining stocks led a rally for blue-chip stocks as the London market reversed losses seen earlier in the session.

The Qatari investment group involved in a raid on Sainsbury's shares has said it holds a stake of 17.4% in the British supermarket chain.

Shares in Sainsbury’s surged today after reports of a major share buying spree re-ignited speculation about the future ownership of the retailer.

A major shareholder in supermarket giant Sainsbury's has approached the board regarding plans to split up the company, according to reports.

Oil giants BP and Royal Dutch Shell were on the front foot today after a rise in the price of crude oil, helping buoy London’s blue-chip share index.

The private equity consortium circling Sainsbury's is said to have upped its offer for the group to more than £10bn (€14.67bn), in a move which could spark tensions between shareholders of the supermarket chain.

The private equity group circling supermarket chain Sainsbury’s reportedly offered the group’s shareholders an equity stake sweetener in an attempt to see its rejected £9.7bn (€14.2bn) takeover attempt succeed, according to reports today.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s was today mulling a £9.7bn (€14.25bn) indicative offer from its private equity suitors amid reports that major shareholders of the firm are holding out for a higher bid.

The Bank of England’s decision to keep interest rates on hold gave the London market a welcome lift today.

The owner of the Bella Italia and Cafe Rouge chains hit back today in the bidding war for Spanish tapas restaurant business La Tasca.

Brewer Scottish & Newcastle saw its shares enjoy a late surge today on rumours of possible bid interest from Heineken or Carlsberg.

British holiday accommodation group Enterprise Inns said today it had sold its entire estate in Scotland after agreeing a deal with property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz.

The FTSE 100 Index regained its composure today as investors sent chemicals giant ICI to levels not seen for five years.

The London market found its feet today as chemicals giant ICI launched a new cost-cutting drive and Royal Dutch Shell pleased investors with profits of £1.5m (€2.2m) an hour.

An uncertain final session before Easter today saw the FTSE 100 Index sink below 6000 before recovering with strong gains from Vodafone and Rolls-Royce.

Investors lifted Rolls-Royce shares by more than 2% today after welcoming plans by the engines giant to tackle its £1.28 billion pensions deficit.

A landmark session for the London market ended with a tinge of disappointment today when the FTSE 100 Index closed below the 6,000 threshold.

Investors were treated to a landmark session today as the FTSE 100 Index made surprise gains to smash through the 6,000 barrier.

The latest round of takeover interest in London failed to inspire the market today as it slipped just off yesterday’s recent high.

The emergence of another potential high-profile takeover deal helped nudge the FTSE 100 Index closer to the 6,000 landmark today.

A sharp rise by Vodafone and the possibility of two more heavyweight deals re-ignited the FTSE 100 Index’s push towards the 6000 barrier today.

The new owners of Somerfield cut their losses on the Kwik Save chain by selling the brand and the majority of its stores today.

The new owners of Somerfield were today reported to have hoisted the for-sale sign above its loss-making Kwik Save chain.

A CHAIN of fitness centres owned by John Magnier, JP McManus and Dermot Desmond is expected to be put up for sale this week.

One of the backers of a £1.1bn (€1.6bn) takeover of Somerfield today pledged to “throw a lot more money” at the chain as it looks to take on bigger rivals.