A year to forget for investors ended today with London’s benchmark index 5.5% lower than its starting point in January.

Banks helped lift London's leading index sharply higher today after Lloyds Banking Group boss Antonio Horta-Osorio received backing for his plans to overhaul the taxpayer-controlled bank.

Heavyweight companies including Shell, BP and GlaxoSmithKline will be in the spotlight during a busy period for corporate results this week.

Shares in BG Group rose today after the oil and gas explorer announced another crude oil discovery off the coast of Brazil.

Oil and gas explorer BG Group said today higher gas prices and increased production levels around the world had helped boost profits.