The retailer and lender, which has 167 stores across the UK, revealed higher profits in recent months.

Inditex said its global sales reached 8.2 billion euros (£) between February and April, 7.1% higher than a year ago.

B&M European Value Retail said the past year was a turning point in its ambitious expansion plans.

The office sharing company said it had trimmed its offices in the UK and Ireland and was focusing on 40 profitable locations.

Whistleblowers are attempting to reopen a case in the US against the British bank with what they claim is newly uncovered evidence.

The Lucky Strike and Dunhill cigarette maker said that the economic environment was showing signs of recovery but American consumers remain stretched.

The UK firm said the remaining 63rd+1st bar in Glasgow will shut down at the end of month.

BAT will give shareholders an update on its trading performance on Tuesday amid major smoking bans being considered in the UK and US.

The two businesses had previously agreed to a deal that will see Hipgnosis taken off the public markets.

A hacking group was reportedly behind a similar data breach of Ticketmaster which emerged earlier this week.

The FTSE 100 moved 44.33 points higher, or 0.54%, to close at 8,275.38.

UBS said on Friday that it had achieved a ‘significant milestone’ in merging the two banks.

BAT will give shareholders an update on its trading performance on Tuesday amid major smoking bans being considered in the UK and US.

The UK’s top share index was up 47.98 points, or 0.59%, to 8,231.05.

The regional newspaper group cheered the fact that it has grown revenues ‘in the face of a general sector decline’.

Australia’s BHP said on Wednesday afternoon that it had been unable to reach an agreement with the rival miner over specific issues.

The FTSE 100 was down 71.11 points, or 0.86%, to close at 8,183.07.

Its boss described the acquisition of Rowman & Littlefield as a ‘game-changer’ which will help accelerate its expansion overseas.

The blue-chip index was down 63.41 points, or 0.76%, to close at 8,254.18.

The retailer had reportedly come under pressure after revealing the bumper payouts despite the bosses not meeting their bonus targets for the year.