Economics / Markets

A tremendous tumble for consumer electronic retailer DSG International has led the FTSE 100 to a 1.02% fall today. The index closed 68.3 points down to 6609.4.

A bid offer for Scottish & Newcastle led to a surge for the FTSE at close of play today.

In London, markets rose in early trading as investors react positively to news that one Bank of England boss voted to lower interest rates, and the FTSE 100 was up 6.6 points, or 0.1%, to 6,620.9.

It was an up and down session for the FTSE 100 today, as leading stocks threatened to push the index in the black late on. It finally closed 30.2 points down, or 0.45%, to 6614.30.

STRONG earnings growth will continue to drive European markets, according to Tim McCarron, manager of the Fidelity European fund.

The FTSE 100 is fighting back this morning after sliding in early trading, currently 35.1 points down, or 0.51%, to 6609.4.

The FTSE reached a seven-year high today as it rose 29 points to 6,750.3p.

Northern Rock led the FTSE higher, up by 0.09% to 6730.70, at the close of the week on news a consortium led by Richard Branson's Virgin planned to make a bid for the firm.

The FTSE100 began the day down 45.40 or 0.68% at 6679.10 with miners acting as the main drag on the index.

The FTSE 100 closed above 6,700 for the first time since mid-July today, finishing the Thursday session up 91.5 points, or 1.38%, to 6724.5.