Economics / Markets

In London, shares fell after several poor trading reports came to light and the FTSE 100 fell by 125.7 points, or 1.9%, to 6,498.7.

In London, the markets fell in early trading as a series of company results were released; the FTSE 100 was down 16.8 points, or 0.25%, to 6,607.6.

The FTSE closed this afternoon at 6624.4p after rising 39.2 points, or 0.6%.

The FTSE opened this week at 6597.2p after rising 12 points, or 0.18%.

A slide on Wall Street dragged the FTSE 100 lower in late trading; the index closed the week down 55 points, 0.83%, to 6585.2.

Mining companies drove the FTSE higher this morning with the index up 0.47% to 6,671 and the FTSE All-Share rising to 3447.25. The news was positive for the FTSE100 which has lost 0.8% this week.

THE UK economy expanded by 0.8pc in the second quarter of 2007, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The FTSE closed this afternoon at 6640.2p after climbing 73.1 points, or 1.11%.

A strong early morning for Old Mutual has seen the FTSE jump 57 points, or 0.87%, to 6624.2.

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