Economics / Markets

The FTSE stumbled in early trading, slipping 3.6 points, or 0.06%, to 5,980.3 after reports of a record low for the Great British Pound (GBP).

An early slide on Wall Street sent the FTSE 100 index into the red this afternoon, it fell 6.30 points (0.11%) to 5983.90.

The FTSE 100 has opened weaker this morning as the gloomy IMF forecast for UK economic prospects surrounds the city. The index is 23 points lower (0.38%) to 5967.20.

In London, markets closed down after the Halifax released figures showing major problems in the housing market and the FTSE 100 dropped 41.7 points (0.69%) to 5,973.1.

In London, markets fell in early trading, mirroring other European markets, and the FTSE 100 dropped 52.4 points (0.87%) to 5,962.4.

The FTSE rose 53.9 points, or 0.91%, to 6,001 as commodities stayed strong this afternoon.

MARKET volatility has created some good buying opportunities in Europe, according to Roger Guy and Guillaume Ramourg, managers of the Gartmore European Selected Opportunities fund.

FURTHER evidence the US has slipped into recession is provided by the latest US employment data.

The FTSE has climbed 38.4 points, or 0.57%, to 5981.2 in early trading on Monday as commodities led gains.

The FTSE100 closed up 55 at 5,947, just short of the 6,000 mark, at the end of the week.