Economics / Markets

In London, shares were boosted by strong sales figures released in the US, which caused the Dow Jones to reach a record high, and the FTSE 100 began the day up by 17.8 points, or 0.27%, to 6,715.5.

Rio Tinto's announcement it is to pay $38.1bn in cash for Canadian aluminium producer Alcan led to major increases in mining stocks today - pushing the FTSE 100 up 82.6 points, or 1.25%, to 6697.7.

The FTSE 100 got off to a poor start this morning, dropping 11.2 points, or 0.17%, to 6603.9.

Strong performances from Whitbread and BSkyB was not enough to push the FTSE 100 higher today, with the index closing down 15.8 points, or 0.24%, to 6615.1.

A poor day on Wall Street is looming heavily on the FTSE 100 this morning, with the index down 36.3 points, or 0.55%, to 6594.6 in early trading.

In London, the FTSE 100 closed down after metal prices fell, down 81.8 points, or 1.22%, to 6,630.9.

In London, the FTSE 100 rose in early trading, up 9.5 points, or 0.14%, to 6,722.2.

The FTSE climbed 21.10 points, or 0.32%, to close at 6711.2p this afternoon.

The FTSE gained 24.80 points, or 0.37%, this morning, opening at 6714.9p.

The FTSE opened at 6666.3p this morning after leaping 31.1 points, or 0.47%.