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.

Housebuilder Barratt Developments was today earmarked to join the FTSE 100 Index for the first time in its history.

Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey today unveiled merger plans to create the UK’s biggest housebuilder.

UK housebuilders George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow are understood to be in talks over a £5bn (€7.4bn) merger in a deal that would catapult the new group into the FTSE 100 Index, reports reveal today.

British housebuilder Crest Nicholson today said it had backed a £715m (€1bn) takeover offer from banking giant HBOS and tycoon Tom Hunter.

A major deal in the housebuilding sector ensured the second-tier FTSE 250 Index stole a march on its top flight counterpart today.

The UK’s largest estate agency chain today confirmed it had received a preliminary takeover approach from an unnamed suitor.

UK housebuilder Wilson Bowden backed a £2.2bn (€3.3bn) takeover today in a deal that should net its co-founder a family fortune of more than £700m (€1.06m).

Traders overcame a quiet session for corporate news by turning the spotlight on possible merger and acquisition activity today.

British high-street banking group HBOS and Scottish tycoon Tom Hunter were today being tipped to make another attempt to land housebuilder Crest Nicholson.

Investors endured a miserable start to the week after the FTSE 100 Index tumbled 1% on the back of worries over the weak US dollar today.

European markets resumed their decline today as investors again fretted about the weakness of the US dollar.

UK housebuilder Wilson Bowden today confirmed it had received takeover approaches from a number of parties.

Three leading house-building companies were today reported to be lining up offers as part of a £2bn (€2.95) auction of a rival UK operator.

The FTSE 100 Index was in negative territory today after traders in New York returned from the public holiday in downbeat mood.

Matalan shares jumped 7% today as investors cheered better-than-expected sales figures from the discount retailer.

The FTSE 100 Index sunk into the red today as inflation concerns continued to hit world markets.

The FTSE 100 Index edged towards the 5600 mark today in the last full trading session ahead of Christmas.

Leisure group Hilton was the toast of the London market today as investors cheered news that it had received expressions of interest in Ladbrokes.

Traders sounded a note of caution today as the FTSE 100 Index retreated from its 30-month high in the wake of a number of gloomy business updates.

A sharp fall in Cairn Energy’s share price set the tone for a lacklustre start to trading in London today.

Speculation that Argos owner GUS was on the shopping list of a consortium of private-equity firms and banks boosted the London market today.

London shares achieved a two-month high today on the back of a decent showing by banks and oil stocks.

UK housebuilder Wilson Bowden today offered further evidence that interest rate hikes were starting to restrain rampant house price growth in Britain.

Housebuilder Wilson Bowden today reported strong sales despite signs the housing market was starting to cool down.

The London market held steady today despite news that inflation was at its highest level for more than a year.

Companies reporting this weekin Britain include:

Companies reporting in Britain in the week beginning February 24 include: