Economics / Markets

The FTSE 100 is slightly up in early trading with a rise of 2.2 points, or 0.03%, to 6,557.7, as two big takeover deals have failed to boost the index.

The FTSE 100 has ended the session down 10.2 points, or 0.16%, to 6,555.5, as the mining sector fell on broker downgrades and declining copper and aluminium prices.

The FTSE 100 is slightly down in early trading with a fall of 6.1 points, or 0.09%, to 6,559.6, despite continued takeover speculation, as investors prepare for inflation data following last week's rise in interest rates.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day up 41.60 points, or 0.64%, to 6,565.7, as miners reversed earlier losses.

The FTSE 100 is down 46 points, or 0.71%, to 6,478.1 in early trading, following a heavy fall on Wall Street yesterday and a fall among property companies.

Early struggles on the FTSE 100 continued throughout the day as the index finished 25.5 points, or 0.39%, on 6524.10.

Slow early trading on the FTSE 100 has been helped by significant gains for land firms.

INTEREST rates could rise a further 50 basis points by the end of the year, commentators have predicted in the wake of today's increase to a six-year high of 5.5pc.

The FTSE 100 ended the day slightly down with a drop of 0.8 points, or 0.01%, to 6,549.6, as mining stocks pulled back from earlier gains.

Mining firms have contributed to a bright start for the FTSE 100, which is up 25 points, or 0.39%, to 6575.9, but a mining firm is also one of the morning's biggest losers.