In London, the shares rose 1.3 percent to 391 pence, or about $6.25.

The share price rose today by as much as 7.9 percent, to 325 pence, the highest since January 2000.

By this point, the price had risen to five pence.

The company's share price rose 0.8 percent, to 271.5 pence.

Its shares rose 4.27 percent in London, to 317.75 pence.

Shares of the company rose nearly 1 percent, to 1,768 pence.

Marconi's stock rose 7 percent on the news, to 281 pence a share, giving the company a market value of £586 million ($1.1 billion).

Its stock rose as much as 3.1 percent, to 540 pence.

British Airways shares rose 1.3 percent, to 390 pence, or about $5.85.

Rank's shares rose 5.9 percent, to 161 pence, or about $2.24.