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SECTOR REPORT

The FTSE 100 has ended three straight days of losses to move 0.9% higher, returning to levels last seen at the end of May.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has renewed its calls on the UK government to do more to boost the economy, but Chancellor George Osborne has received support for his austerity programme from IMF member countries.

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The government is set to agree to sell some £450m of Northern Rock loans to American private equity firm JC Flowers, according to reports.

Sterling and gilt yields have jumped this morning after the latest Monetary Policy Committee minutes revealed Mark Carney and all other MPC members voted against more QE in July.

The True Potential group of companies has boosted its pre-tax profit by 56% for the half year 2013 compared with the same period last year.

The £1.5bn rescue financing of the Co-operative Bank by its parent will come at the cost of hundreds of jobs, according to reports today.

Today's inflation figures are a warning light on the UK economy's dashboard, according to stockbroker MB Capital trading director Marcus Bullus.