Economics / Markets

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.

The FTSE 100 Index has added 5.60 points, or 0.1%, to 6092 so far in morning with stocks including Royal Bank of Scotland Group gaining.

The FTSE 100 made a last minute dash to close some 36 points higher at 6,086 led by Antofagasta as the Chilean copper miner benefited from a round of vague takeover talk. Antofagasta rose 4.6% to close at 530p.

The FTSE 100 Index has added 31.50 points, or 0.5%, to 6081.90 paced by ICAP after the world's largest broker of transactions between banks said this morning it had bought back stock worth £8.9m and plans to repurchase more.