Updates from BSkyB, Carillion and United Utilities

The FTSE 100 climbed 23 points on Thursday to 6,821.4. Reed Elsevier was the Board's biggest riser, up 4.37% to 980p while Concordia owner Carnival also climbed, up 2.34% to 2183p. However B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher shares sank more than 8%, to 308.50p, on disappointing quarterly sales. easyJet shares were buffeted 4.99% to 1333p.

In the US, the Dow Jones finished flat, down 2.8 points to 17,083, despite considerable earnings news. %VIRTUAL-SkimlinksPromo%