Economics / Markets

The FTSE rose 0.22%, or 13.7 points, to 6215.7p this afternoon as real estate stocks continued to rally.

AIM Stocks now offer compelling value, despite them having underperformed the FTSE Smaller Companies Index over the past three years, according to Gartmore's head of UK smaller companies, Gervais Williams.

The FTSE rose 0.09%, or 5.8 points, to 6207.8p this morning as Land Securities Group rose 5.47%, or 80 points, to 1542p.

The FTSE100 failed to finish higher today closing down 16.30 points at 6206.40 despite positive performance from house builders and miners.

The FTSE 100 has made a sluggish start this morning, down 26.30 points (0.42%) to 6196.40.

Reports of strong sales at Sainsbury's have seen the supermarket chain climb the FTSE winners table early on Thursday.

The poor M&S Christmas sales showing led to a dour day for the FTSE 100, closing down 83.80 points (1.32%) to 6272.70.

A dismal Christmas sales report has smashed Marks and Spencer this morning, dragging the FTSE 100 down 91.70 points (1.44%) to 6264.80 so far.

In London, the FTSE 100 closed up as investors moved their money to firms that are less affected by economic downturn, up 21.20 (0.33%) to 6,356.9.

In London, markets climbed in early trading, despite reports that retailers have seen the worst Christmas for three years, and the FTSE 100 rose 36.8 points (0.58%) to 6,372.5.