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Oil tops $117 a barrell amid fears over supply

Oil prices reached a new high above 117 US dollars a barrel today amid further fears over supply. Read

More deliveries woe for Rentokil Initial

Business services firm Rentokil Initial warned today that its troubled City Link delivery business would make “significant” losses this year after a worsening performance. Read

RBS confirms shareholder cash request plan

The UK’s second biggest bank today confirmed it was considering plans to ask shareholders for billions of pounds in extra funding. Read

9,000 jobs to go at world's largest bank

The world’s largest bank announced plans to cut 9,000 jobs today but relief over its lower than expected losses from the credit crunch gave a boost to the wider banking sector. Read

FTSE puts on 3% as credit bail-out gives markets hope

The FTSE 100 Index gained almost 3% this week as hopes of a credit bail-out for the banking sector and better than expected corporate results on both sides of the Atlantic boosted stocks. Read

RBS expected to go for new share issue to raise £5bn-plus

Britain’s second biggest bank will appeal to shareholders in a multi-billion pound bid to repair its balance sheet, it was reported today. Read

Citigroup's UK staff braced for job losses

Citigroup will post its latest company figures today amid concern that the US banking giant is to announce jobs cuts that could affect staff in the UK. Read

Mixed fortunes for Prudential

INSURANCE giant Prudential today posted a better-than-expected hike in first quarter sales, but showed signs that the economic turmoil was starting to bite as new business slipped 19% on the final three months of 2007. Read

WH Smith boosted by travel stores

RETAILER WH Smith have reported more difficulties on the high street, but its problems have been offset by higher sales in its travel division. Read

Atkins upbeat after contract wins

ENGINEERING consultant WS Atkins says its profits will be at the top end of market hopes after its performance was boosted by a series of contract wins. Read

L&G sees ‘opportunities’ despite market turbulence

INSURER Legal & General says it hopes to find “opportunities” for growth despite the UK property price woes and turmoil in financial markets. Read

Debenhams pleased with sales, despite 12% profits fall

Debenhams said today it was pleased with its half-year sales performance, despite revealing a 12% fall in profits to £94.1 million. Read

Tesco posts £2.85bn profits

Supermarket giant Tesco today announced annual profits of £2.85bn - an increase of 11.8% on the previous year. Read

Bradford & Bingley scotches rumours of rights issue

Mortgage bank Bradford & Bingley today sought to scotch rumours that it was planning to launch a rights issue. Read

Mitchells and Butlers looks as possible sell off

Troubled pubs group Mitchells & Butlers is understood to be in talks to buy part of its rival and former suitor Punch Taverns, it was reported yesterday. Read

Sir Philip Green to sell BHS?

Billionaire retailer Sir Philip Green is rumoured to be looking to sell his department store chain Bhs so that he can concentrate on Top Shop, it was reported today. Read

'Encouraging' John Lewis sales fail to reach Liverpool

JOHN Lewis's Liverpool store saw another fall in like-for-like sales last week but the Partnership maintained “very encouraging” sales in the post-Easter week. Read

Cadbury's egg shrinks under Easter pressure

CADBURY Schweppes' refusal to get involved in what it described as “aggressive seasonal Easter discounting” hit the company's market share during the key period. Read

Barratt looking for commercial property buyer

HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments is today said to be considering the sale of its commercial property division to ease the company’s £1.7bn debt burden. Read

Brown’s heavy hint to Bank on interest

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown caught the Bank of England by surprise yesterday when he said the time was right for another cut in interest rates. Read