Economics / Markets

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day down 48.4 points, or 0.74%, to 6,449.4, as weaker metal prices and worries over a possible increase in interest rates next month brought the index lower.

UK investors still appear nervous about the prospect of further rate rises this morning and the activity of sterling - yesterday hitting $2 to the pound - as the FTSE 100 is continuing its losses.

CONSUMERS are spending more than ever despite rising inflation and indebtedness, a new Alliance Trust financial index has revealed.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day down 18.4 points or 0.28% to 6,497.8, as the core measure of inflation increased to 3.1%, causing the Governor of the Bank of England to explain the rise in a letter to Gordon Brown.

Having made strong headway yesterday, stocks on the FTSE 100 index are this morning falling again, but are this time led by Experian Group, Hammerson and the mining giants.

INTEREST rates could hit 5.5pc next month, with some forecasters predicting a further rise in June following March's inflation data showing CPI at 3.1pc.

The FTSE 100 has passed the 6,500 mark, ending the day up 53.8 points, or 0.83%, to 6,516.2, and pushing the index to a new six-and-a-half year high.

The FTSE 100 is up 30.4 points, or 0.47%, to 6,492.8 in early trading, as the banking sector pushes ahead on bid speculation.

The FTSE 100 has ended the session up 46 points, or 0.72%, to 6,462.4, as oil and drug stocks pushed the index higher.

The FTSE 100 is up 11.8 points, or 0.18%, to 6,428.2 in early trading, as oil stocks are off to a good start following a rise in the price of crude oil for May delivery.