Economics / Markets

Despite the gloom, most advisers expect double-digit growth from FTSE 100 in six months' time, according to a survey carried out by Rowan & Co.

Early gains for troubled building supplies giant Wolseley helped the FTSE to an impressive total on Thursday morning.

The recession will be deeper and longer than the government is expecting, according to Threadneedle's Leigh Harrison.

The FTSE is currently marginally down 30.73 points (0.74%) to 4140.52 despite an early rally from mining stocks.

BHP Billiton's decision to drop its bid for Rio Tinto has sent FTSE 100 stocks sliding down 86.98 points (1.66%) to 4083.98, despite yesterdays biggest-ever percentage rise.

The FTSE100 was closing in on a staggering 9% climb on Monday after Alistair Darling delivered his Pre-Budget Report (PBR).

Citigroup's share price has plummeted over 20% again this morning, bringing the beleaguered banking giant's declines to 55% in just over two days trading.

London's markets saw a major sell-off in late trading as investors digested a wealth of bad news in the retail sector.

London's markets were dragged down by falling mining shares, which failed to lift as the day wore on. Shortly before 4pm, the FTSE100 had dropped 186.83 points, or 2.54% to 4,101.72.

The FTSE 100 had climbed more than 48 points (1.18%) shortly before close on Tuesday in response to an early rally on Wall Street.