Economics / Markets

The FTSE 100 is charging this morning after speculation mounts on BHP Billiton's approach to rival Rio Tinto.

The FTSE had a weak end to the day as gloomy news from the States pushed the index down 3.20 to 6381.90.

The FTSE fell sharply this morning on the back of bad news from the States where stocks plunged following the announcement Morgan Stanley lost $3.7bn (£1.8bn) as a result of sub-prime debt.

The FTSE reached 6492.2p this morning after rising 17.3 points, or 0.27%.

In London, shares climbed and the FTSE 100 was up 13.5 points, or 0.21%, to 6,474.9 by the end of trading.

In London, markets rose in early trading as mining stocks recovered recent losses and the FTSE 100 was up 31.3 points, or 0.48%, to 6,492.7.

The FTSE fell to 6456.2p this afternoon after dropping 74.4 points, or 1.14%.

The FTSE fell 42.6 points, or 0.65%, this morning to 6488p.

The FTSE fell 88 points, or 1.34%, to 6498.1p this afternoon.

World markets are in the midst of yet another crisis with all indices down including the FTSE falling 42 points to 6544.10.