Economics / Markets

In London, shares were led by Northern Rock after news of a possible takeover and the FTSE 100 was up 7.7 points, or 0.11%, to 6,508.1.

In London, shares fell slightly in a turbulent day of trading, with the FTSE 100 closing down 5.8 points, or 0.09%, to 6,500.4.

The FTSE 100 is capitalising on a strong overnight result on Wall Street and in Asia, up 31.6 points, or 0.49%, to 6537.8 in early trading.

IMPACTED by a slower US economy, Asia's (ex Japan) economic growth will ease to 8.3pc in 2008, from 8.4pc this year, according to Credit Suisse. And, while China, India and Vietnam will head the pack, rising inflation remains a concern.

The FTSE reached 6506.2p this afternoon after rising 39.4 points, or 0.61%.

The FTSE rose 0.10 points, or 0%, this morning to 6466.9p.

In London, a late market rally was not enough to prevent an overall fall and the FTSE 100 dropped 19.6 points, or 0.3%, to 6,466.8.

In London, markets fell back in early trading as the weak dollar hit profits at some firms and the FTSE 100 was down 15.7 points, or 0.24%, to 6,470.7.

THE increasingly global nature of many of the world's largest companies means that global equities should be considered as an asset class in their own right, according to Baillie Gifford.

Northern Rock this morning continues its topsy-turvy ride on the FTSE, which has climbed 0.88% to 6490.3 in early trading, as talk of a takeover by a private equity firm gathers pace.