Telecoms giant BT said today it had won the support of pension trustees over plans to tackle a record deficit of £9 billion.

Michael Page International was in focus last night amid hopes that forecasts would rise as the recovery resuscitates the job market, bearing dividends for staffing companies.

National Express secured overwhelming support for its £360m rights issue as the Cosmen family backed the move despite public opposition to the strategy, paving the way for a much-needed restructuring of the group.

Struggling transport group National Express was slammed by its biggest shareholder today after it ended merger talks with rival Stagecoach.

Stagecoach is putting the final touches to bank financing ready to launch a takeover bid for National Express, the troubled rail franchise which owns the lucrative East Anglian lines.

Raj Rajaratnam, the hedge fund boss arrested in the US on insider dealing charges, was picked up by the authorities as he prepared for a trip to see a number of British companies, it emerged yesterday.

Lloyds Banking Group stood firm last night, as investors bought in after a broker outlined a way ahead without the Government's asset protection scheme (APS).

KBC, the troubled Belgian bank, has put its London brokerage and corporate finance house, KBC Peel Hunt, up for sale with the bank likely to suffer a huge loss on its investment.