Economics / Markets

The UK's blue chip stocks index has closed the day up and saw the performance of mining firms and financial services group turn around but the key driver of the day was a major purchase of Sainsbury shares.

Stocks on the FTSE 100 index are rebounding again after yesterday's setback, led this morning by supermarket giant Sainsbury.

UK-listed shares are struggling to hold their ground on the FTSE 100 index this morning, despite strong gains for Aviva on the back of its new business figures.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day slightly down with a drop of 7.1 points, or 0.11%, to 6,479.7, as the market reacted badly to bid news.

The FTSE 100 is down 14.3 points, or 0.22%, to 6,472.5, as confirmation of a deal between Barclays and ABN Amro has failed to push the index higher.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day up 42.6 points, or 0.66%, to 6,483.2, as miners push the index higher.

The FTSE 100 is up 28.3 points, or 0.44%, to 6,468.9 in early trading, as the possibility of a bidding war for Alliance Boots pushes the index higher.

FUND houses are growing increasingly negative on the outlook for the US, according to a survey by Skandia.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day with a slight fall of 8.8 points, or 0.14%, to 6,440.6, as gains by drugmakers offset earlier heavy losses by miners.

The FTSE 100 is down 45.5 points, or 0.71%, to 6,403.9, as the index is being dragged lower by miners over concerns about demand in China.