Economics / Markets

The FTSE 100 is up 12.1 points, or 0.2%, to 6,141.3, pushed higher by a resurgent mining sector.

THE IMA has reported the "best September on record" for net retail sales, which soared to £1.5bn compared to £809m in the same month last year.

STRATEGISTS who called an end to the US small cap cycle were premature, said Robert Siddles of F&C, who thinks confidence in the economy has returned.

CHRIS Rodgers, HSBC's head of UK equities, is to leave the group to set up a boutique fund house with two former Schroder colleagues in the latest fallout following the bank's switch to multi-manager.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day slightly higher with a small rise of 2.4 points, or 0.04%, to 6,129.2, following a weak energy sector.

The FTSE 100 index is up 10.6 points, or 0.17%, to 6,137.4, with Friends Provident pushing the index higher.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day down 34.1 points, or 0.55%, to 6,126.8, as the mining sector suffered heavy losses.

In early trading, the FTSE 100 is down 27.5 points, or 0.45%, to 6,133.4 despite a strong start by Standard Life following takeover speculation.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day down 23.9 points, or 0.39%, to 6,160.9 as a late rally by energy stocks limited losses.

The FTSE 100 is up 7 points, or 0.11%, 6,191.8, as lower oil prices and in-favour finance stocks are boosting buyers.