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Barclays "acutely disappointed" by profits slump

Barclays reported an “acutely disappointing” 33% profit slump today after more hefty write-downs and warned that it expected tough conditions to continue through next year. Read

H Samuel owner posts profits slump

H Samuel and Ernest Jones owner Signet posted a further slide in sales today as the jeweller saw no let-up in tough trading conditions in the US and UK. Read

Barclays boost not enough for the markets (with video)

The London market failed to hold on to initial gains today, despite a boost from blue-chip banks in the wake of interim results from Barclays. Read

Government moves to shore up Northern Rock

The Government took further steps to shore up Northern Rock’s balance sheet today after the lender unveiled half-year losses of almost £600 million. Read

FTSE rallies as oil prices falls sharply (with video)

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

HSBC predicts toughest challenge for decades

Banking giant HSBC said today that the most difficult financial markets “for several decades” had knocked more than a quarter off profits in the first half of 2008. Read

Blue chip shares take a beating

Blue chip stocks ended the session in negative territory today as concerns over the US economy added to HSBC’s profits gloom. Read

United Utilities puts £2m into fund for poor customers

Water firm United Utilities is to pump an additional £2 million a year into its fund for struggling customers, it was announced today. Read

FSA ends probe into Halifax rumours

The City’s watchdog formally ended its inquiry today into the false market rumours which hit shares in Halifax Bank of Scotland in March. Read

Liverpool bucks John Lewis's downward trend

Department store chain John Lewis today reported a fall in weekly sales, but said half-year figures were still better than a year earlier. Read

FTSE ends the week on the back foot (with video)

The FTSE 100 Index was forced onto the back foot today after stocks were dealt a late blow by poor economic news from the US. Read

Shell defends its £8bn profits

The oil industry’s profits bonanza continued today after surging prices helped Royal Dutch Shell to a surplus of almost £8 billion for six months trading. Read

HBOS reveals lower profits

Halifax Bank of Scotland today revealed sharply lower profits and said it was concerned about rising bad debts as customers struggle with repayments. Read

National Express boosted by soaring fuel prices

Bus and trains group National Express today said it was encouraged by trading as soaring petrol prices force travellers out of their cars. Read

Whitbread and M&B agree asset swap

Leisure group Whitbread bolstered its Premier Inn hotel estate today by agreeing to swap assets with pubs firm Mitchells & Butlers. Read

Tough day for Unilever after fall in sales

Consumer goods giant Unilever came under pressure on the London market today as interim figures from the group revealed a fall in sales volumes. Read

Sales fall 6% at clothes retailer Next

Next, one of Liverpools largest retailers, said it remained cautious about trading prospects today after the high street chain reported a 6% fall in half-year like-for-like sales. Read

Admiral warns of higher prices

Motorists could have to get used to higher car insurance premiums, the owner of Elephant.co.uk and Diamond said today. Read

Credit crunch is great news for high-interest lender Provident

Consumer lender Provident Financial today said half-year profits soared by more than a third after winning new customers shunned by cautious high street lenders. Read

Cadbury benefits from credit crunch comfort eating

Dairy Milk maker Cadbury today posted a 46% leap in first-half profits and said it would take “whatever measures necessary” to combat commodity cost rises. Read