Economics / Markets

The FTSE 100 is up 16.4 points, or 0.26%, to 6,208.9, in early trading as miners make a strong start to the session.

The FTSE 100 index closed the day up 36 points or almost 0.6% to 6,192.5 on Wednesday after reports suggested British Energy was the government's preferred bidder for British Nuclear.

The FTSE 100 index is just about managing to maintain any gains this morning, led in the main by banking group HBOS and Tate & Lyle, as the drop in oil price is now beginning to affect major stocks.

The FTSE 100 index is down 17.9 points, or 0.29%, to 6,141.9, as attention is focused on the US interest rate meeting which starts today.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day up 7.4 points, or 0.12%, to 6,159.8, as Corus gains balanced the losses from insurers.

The FTSE 100 index is up 28.4 points, or 0.46%, to 6,180.8 in early trading this morning, with Corus leading the way after both bidders for the steel company upped their share offer price.

The FTSE 100 index rose 20.9 points, or 0.3%, to 6,152 points today, led by Barclays on bid speculation.

The FTSE 100 index rose 0.68% to close at 6131.5 with Barclays Bank, which rose 2.99% to 707p, leading gains following takeover speculation it has attracted the attention of Bank of America and Banco Santander.

The FTSE 100 has added 23.40 points, or 0.4%, to 6113 as stocks advance for a fourth day thanks to a rally on tobacco companies, paced by Gallaher Group after the maker of Benson & Hedges cigarettes in Europe received a takeover approach.

The FTSE 100 Index rose 3.90 points, or 0.1%, to 6,090 points today, led by Royal Bank of Scotland Group.