Economics / Markets

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.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day down 53.3 points, or 0.81%, to 6,550.4, as miners declined on falling metal prices.

The FTSE 100 is down 27.9 points, or 0.42%, to 6,575.8 in early trading, ahead of this week's interest rate decision by the Monetary Policy Committee.

The FTSE 100 crossed the 6,600 barrier as it ended the session up 65.9 points, or 1.01%, to 6,603.7, on continued takeover rumours.

The FTSE 100 is up 22 points, or 0.34%, to 6,559.8 in early trading, as the mining sector pushes the index higher on rising commodity prices.