BP

UK stocks were muted mid-morning as investors took profits and fretted once more over the outlook for Europe and the Greek debt deal.

The latest Dividend Monitor report from Capita Registrars has unveiled the top ten dividend paying stocks in the UK market last year.

Shares in UK oil major BP were off more than 3% today as investors fretted over a warning from a well known analyst that the settlement for 2010's Gulf of Mexico disaster could be well above estimates.

Today's oil price is a risk to global economic growth, particularly in the US, said BP chief executive Bob Dudley.

BP's robust results lifted shares in the oil major last week but provoked mixed reactions as managers debate whether now is the time to buy back in

This week saw a round of updates from some of the UK's largest dividend payers, including BP, Shell, Glaxo and British American Tobacco. But is it time for investors to be selling the big names?

BP's better than expected results lifted shares in the oil major today, but investors and analysts remain divided about whether to overweight the stock.

US markets opened lower today as investors remained cautious on tomorrow's European summit aimed at solving the sovereign debt crisis.

BP saw profits soar in the third quarter as it prepares to sell off a further $15bn worth of assets, and the CEO pledges to boost the oil major's dividend and increase share buybacks.

Warnings about banks, eurozone concerns and a high profile job for an ex-New Star manager were among our best read stories this week.