Economics / Markets

FUND managers are becoming increasingly wary of Asian stocks as evidence mounts of a global economic slowdown, according to IMS Chief Investment Officer Giles Gilberston.

ANALYSTS have given mixed messages about the state of the US economy and whether the nation's equities are poised for fresh highs or further lows.

RICHARD Colwell, the latest Credit Suisse fund manager to leave the firm, is to take up the newly-created position of high alpha UK equity fund manager at Morley.

The FTSE 100 Index picked up pace this afternoon to close just 5 points, or 0.01%, lower at 6,239 points, with Scottish Power the best performer.

Standard Life sales and the outcome of the US mid-term elections are dragging the FTSE 100 index down this morning.

Retail therapy was the order of the day on the FTSE 100 index by the end of Tuesday, superseding the strong gains felt earlier for commodity and oil stocks along with losses at Yell.

The FTSE 100 index is struggling to make any headway this morning, even though oil and metal prices are up again and Marks & Spencer has seen improved profits.

The FTSE 100 Index hit a five and a half year high today, up 79.90 points, or 1.3%, at 6,224 points, supported by insurers and miners.

The FTSE 100 Index has climbed 35.5 points, or 0.6%, to 6183.60 points this morning after an approach to buy France's Vivendi SA rekindled speculation mergers and acquisitions will increase in Europe.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day pretty flat with a slight drop of 1.2 points, or 0.02%, to 6,148.1, after a positive start on Wall Street faded away.