Economics / Markets

The FTSE began positively on Thursday morning, climbing 53.9 points, or 0.95%, to 5,714.3.

The FTSE 100 could not break into positive territory today after an early Wall Street slide compounded this morning's decline. The index closed the session 28.70 points (0.50%) lower to 5660.40.

THE CBI has trimmed 0.2 percentage points off its forecast for UK economic growth in 2008, and foresees a further slowdown in 2009.

The FTSE 100 is fighting to recover from a poor start inflicted by mining giant Xstrata's takeover collapse, with the index currently down 31.90 points (0.56%) to 5657.20.

In London, markets rebounded after last week's problems with malicious rumors on the trading floor, putting the FTSE 100 up 193.9 points (3.53%) to 5,689.1.

In London, markets jumped forward in early trading following news that JP Morgan is to raise its offer for Bear Stearns, with the FTSE 100 adding 168.6 points (3.07%) to 5,663.8.

Stocks either shone or copped a battering today as the FTSE 100 slid lower despite a solid start on Wall Street. The index closed for the Easter holidays down 50.40 points (0.91%) to 5495.20.

THE MPC voted 7-2 to keep interest rates unchanged at 5.25pc this month, according to the minutes of the meeting.

A sluggish day on the FTSE yesterday has slinked over to Thursday with the index dropping 44p, or 0.79%, in early trading.

The FTSE recovered slightly after a miserable start, closing down 60.2 points, or 1.07%, to 5,545.6.