The London market was back at levels not seen for more than a month after the FTSE 100 Index slipped below the 6000 barrier today.

The FTSE 100 Index ended today firmly in the red after a poor opening on Wall Street dragged banking stocks down.

Cable & Wireless ensured the Footsie made positive strides today as investors warmed to reports of merger talks with rival telecoms firm Energis.

The FTSE 100 Index overcame a slow day for corporate news and losses by mining stocks to creep into positive territory today.

THE tardiness of CRH in disclosing potential exposure to asbestos litigation cost shareholders over €1 billion as the share price plunged yesterday when the company finally went public on the problem.