A worrying weekend for investors in broadcaster BSkyB and More Than insurance group RSA saw both nursing heavy share falls.

The pair each declined by nearly 11% although the wider FTSE-100 Index held firm, climbing 20 points to 6728.4, despite increased expectations that the US Federal Reserve will scale back its stimulus programme as early as next month.

There were also gains on European stock markets.

On currency markets, sterling was flat against the greenback at 1.60 US dollars whilst it dropped one cent to 1.19 euro, as the single currency recovered some of the losses suffered last week after the European Central Bank cut interest rates to 0.25%.

In London, much of the focus was on the media sector after BSkyB's surprise failure on Saturday to land any of the UK rights to show Champions League and Europa League matches.

BSkyB shares were down by 101p to 829p - wiping more than £1 billion from its market value - after losing out to BT's £900 million offer to show both Uefa competitions for three seasons from 2015/16.

It was the biggest faller in the top flight.

ITV, which also lost its grip on European action, fell 3.1p to 187.4p as Citigroup decided it was time to call time on the broadcaster's buy rating.

JP Morgan upgraded BT in the wake of the Uefa rights deal, helping shares recover from earlier fears over the price being paid by the telecoms company. BT climbed 2p to 374.1p.

RSA Insurance followed closely behind BSkyB on the FTSE-100 losers' board, off 12.7p to 108.1p.

The fall came after it said on Friday evening it had suspended the chief executive of its Irish business and two other senior staff after a routine internal audit uncovered "issues" it says will result in a £70m profits hit.

It was the second profits warning in a week after last month's St Jude's storm left it nursing a £65m hit for damage caused across northern Europe.

Elsewhere in the top flight, shares in the state-backed lenders were higher after details emerged of the first month's take-up for the Government's extended Help to Buy scheme.

NatWest owner Royal Bank of Scotland said it has taken 1075 applications, with almost three-quarters of customers looking to buy their first home.

Halifax, which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, has received 1309 applications during a "really strong start" to the scheme. Lloyds rose 1.6p to 76.8p and RBS added 17.3p to 339.8p.

The biggest FTSE-100 risers were Royal Bank of Scotland, up 17.3p to 339.8p, Schroders up 104p to 2542p, Aberdeen Asset Management up 14.4p to 436.6p and Mondi up 30p to 1049p.

The biggest FTSE-100 fallers were BSkyB down 101p to 829p, RSA Insurance down 12.7p to 108.1p, Antofagasta down 18p to 818.5p and ITV down 3.1p to 187.4p.