Dow Jones

UK stock markets are struggling to make any headway after the Bank holiday as losses in the US market are affecting both the FTSE 100 and the Asian markets.

The FTSE 100 index is up again this morning on the back of gains for GlaxoSmithKline, who have now settled their anti-competitive law suit with the New York Attorney General's office.

A further fall in the price of oil has helped the FTSE 100 rise to its highest level in two months.

Share prices largely ended the day down on the FTSE 100 index after falling oil prices and a huge FSA fine for Shell lowered the confidence in the British-listed oil giants.

Strong earnings potential for money managers Schroders and Amvescap lifted the FTSE 100 back over the 4400 mark.

Stock values on the London Stock Exchange are down again this morning in part because of that climbing oil price in New York, which is not far from the $50 a barrel mark.

A mixed day of trading on the London Stock Exchange saw the FTSE struggle to make gains as big names BAE and Barclays lost ground.

Trading on the FTSE 100 index ended the day without any gains after a bad start for mining stocks and companies now trading without offering a dividend.

Lower than anticipated income for mining giant BHP Billiton has forced the FTSE 100 down this morning, as there has been little to lift the mood.

Banks are back as the dominant force in the London stock markets this morning, but the fluctuation between major players has so far offered little gain.