Autonomy missed out on the London market's extended rally yesterday amid concern that a key acquisition might fail to clear the final hurdle. The software group, off 0.5 per cent to £12.60, is due to complete the $775m purchase of Interwoven this week.

However, Interwoven's annual report, released on Friday, gave no closing date and cautioned that the takeover remained subject to conditions. That followed share sales by two of its directors earlier this month.