GRAFTON Group, owners of Woodies DIY stores, has emerged from the recessions in Ireland and Britain with its balance sheet well intact.

GRAFTON Group has announced that Gavin Slark is to take over as chief executive on July 1. He will succeed Michael Chadwick who has been executive chairman since 1985.

The FTSE 100 Index rose to its highest level for two-and-a-half-years today amid market rumours of a bid from Royal Dutch Shell for rival BP.

Whitbread and retailer Carpetright suffered share price falls today after failing to shake off worries over a New Year spending squeeze.

Hopes for further economy-boosting measures from the US Federal Reserve mounted today, sending the London market higher.

The FTSE 100 Index made headway by noon today despite broker downgrades for blue-chip heavyweights BP, Prudential, Marks & Spencer and BT.

Shares in BP and Marks & Spencer jumped by more than 2% today as the blue-chip pair overcame a lacklustre session for the wider London market.

London’s leading share index made tentative gains today, but progress was held back as further poor US jobs data capped a disappointing week for global economic news.

Builders’ merchant and Wickes owner Travis Perkins today hailed better than expected first-half results as the firm made a “strong rebound” from a snow-bound beginning to 2010.

The FTSE 100 Index maintained its recovery rally today despite Wall Street opening in the red.

IRISH Life & Permanent has been named one of the share picks of 2010 by a number of Irish brokers.

The FTSE 100 Index slid almost 2% into the red today as the spectre of US interest rate hikes overshadowed trading.

The FTSE 100 Index fell almost 1% today after a stronger US dollar caused commodity and oil stocks to retreat.

The FTSE 100 Index closed at its highest level since early January today as investors were cheered by a raft of results from corporate heavyweights.

The London market continued its march upwards today after a raft of earnings received a warm welcome.

British housebuilders stormed ahead today after Taylor Wimpey cheered sentiment with an upbeat assessment of the UK property market.

Reassuring news on the UK property market from Taylor Wimpey gave a boost to housebuilder stocks today as the wider London market swept into positive territory.

Barclays shares jumped 72% today after the bank took unprecedented steps to reassure investors that it remained well-funded and profitable.

Barclays shares surged 64% today after management moved to reassure shareholders in the wake of a nine-day losing streak for the bank.

Sharply lower oil prices helped the London market break a three-day losing streak today as the blue chip share index rallied 2.5%.

BLACK Tuesday gave way to a slightly brighter Wednesday yesterday as Europe’s stock markets, including Dublin’s ISEQ, rebounded from heavy losses early in the week.

THE Irish exchange closed in negative territory yesterday — 45 points lower at 9,564.

The ISEQ index closed marginally higher despite positive news from AIB, Ryanair and Elan.

London’s leading shares plunged into the red today after struggling to hold onto early gains as US inflationary pressures continued to dog the market.

Mining stocks helped the FTSE 100 Index return to positive territory during another busy session for corporate news today.

The London market took a hammering today as a host of blue chip stocks went ex-dividend.

Alan McManus and John Higgins will clash today in an all-Scottish semi-final at the SAGA Insurance Masters at the Wembley Conference Centre.

Steve Davis saluted Chinese sensation Ding Junhui after the 18-year-old inflicted a 10-6 defeat on the veteran in his 100th career final.

STEVE DAVIS and Stephen Hendry made experience count in their respective Travis Perkins UK Championship quarter-finals.

Stephen Maguire admits that the flurry of seeds to have already fallen out of this year’s Travis Perkins UK Championship in York has given him an extra belief that he can retain his title.

AROUND €140 million was wiped off the value of the Grafton group yesterday as its shares tumbled 7% after a major British rival warned of a slowdown in the building materials market.

The Dublin stock exchange ended the week on a positive note despite decreases in the financial sector and at Grafton Group.

The London market ended the week camped in positive territory after investors shook off fresh gloom in the DIY sector today.

The London market resumed its upward path today despite a blow for firms in the DIY sector.

Builders’ merchant Travis Perkins warned of lower-than-expected profits today after suffering a “marked” deterioration in orders.

Chinese teenagers Ding Jun Hui and Liang Wen Bo were men in a hurry at the Travis Perkins UK Championship qualifiers in Prestatyn today.

The London market resumed its rally today as investors continued their hunt for potential takeover candidates.

Scottish Power was among the blue-chip firms trying to lift spirits in London today as it benefited from continued takeover speculation.

Takeover talk and oil stocks helped the London market to notch up healthy gains today.

Broadcaster ITV drove the FTSE 100 Index to a positive start to the week today after bid speculation sent its shares soaring.

The FTSE 100 Index slumped to its lowest level in three months today as a profits warning from B&Q owner Kingfisher cast a chill over the retail sector.

The company circling Woolworths has lined up the former bosses of hardware store Robert Dyas to run the chain if it is successful, it was reported today.

Mark King rekindled his love affair with the Newport Centre by edging into the semi-finals of the Welsh Open with a 5-4 victory over Ryan Day at the South Wales venue tonight.

SHARES in Dublin traded higher for a seventh day in succession. Investors returned to heavyweights Allied Irish Bank and CRH, as the ISEQ Index climbed 8.20 points to 6189.53.