Economics / Markets

The FTSE fell 77.5 points, or 1.36%, to 5615.4 this morning as analysts' recommendations to sell led to losses for ITV , Vodafone and British Airways .

The FTSE100 was down 24.60 points at 5,692.90 at the close of the week as UK property giants, including Persimmon and Barratt , slumped on the news house prices fell for a fifth consecutive month.

The FTSE100 is currently up 21.70 at 5739.20 led by a strong performance from Enterprise Inns .

The FTSE rose 53.8 points, or 0.95%, to 5714.2 as Persimmon led gains. The house builder rose 51 points, or 6.92%, to 788.5.

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.