Economics / Markets

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.

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.