Economics / Markets

The FTSE 100 is up 4.2 points, or 0.07%, to 6,264.2, with early trading flat ahead of the Christmas break.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day at its highest level in almost six years with a rise of 32 points, or 0.51%, to 6,260, as BAE Systems soared higher.

The FTSE 100 is up 15.10 points, or 0.24%, to 6,243.1 in early trading, with BAE Systems leading the charge

NEPTUNE Investment Management has raised annual management charges on four funds with the biggest rise on the Managed fund.

A NEW type of ethical tracker fund which underweights carbon intensive companies is set to be one of the early retail launches in 2007.

NEPTUNE and New Star fund managers have reassured investors the eurozone economy should continue to be stable in 2007, despite this summer's volatility.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day up 35.5 points or 0.57% to 6,228, as miners held onto earlier gains with Xstrata leading the charge.

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.