Economics / Markets

The FTSE 100 is down 22.7 points, or 0.36%, to 6,246.6 in early trading as energy and commodity stocks move lower.

F&C Investments multi-manager Julie Dent has predicted Asian companies will bounce back from last year's currency problems to become strong performers in 2007.

THE EUROPEAN biotech industry is at a critical stage in its cycle, according to the investment manager of the International Biotechnology trust (IBT).

STEPHEN Whittaker, New Star joint chief investment officer and manager of the £593m UK Growth fund, has struck a more upbeat note than many commentators on the prospects for the UK market in 2007.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day down 45.5 points or 0.72% to 6,269.3, on a weak utility sector and a poor opening on Wall Street.

The FTSE 100 index is continuing its gains from yesterday with a rise of 8.6 points or 0.14% to 6,323.4 in early trading, with property companies leading the charge.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day close to a six-year high with a rise of 87.2 points or 1.4% to 6,314.8, following a recovery in metal prices.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day slightly higher with a rise of 9.2 points or 0.15% to 6,227.6, as miners kept the index moving higher.

The FTSE 100 is up 13.4 points, or 0.22%, to 6,231.8 in early trading, with miners among the stocks offsetting the effect of Tate & Lyle's profit warning.

The FTSE 100 index has closed the start of the week 18.8 points or 0.3% to 6218.4, as media stocks fell and a poor start to Wall Street weighed on the index.