Dow Jones

It was oil prices earlier today which kept the FTSE afloat, but by the end of Monday's trading, the tide had turned towards the prospects for coal and mineral prices.

Record oil prices in yesterday's trading is impacting the UK stock markets again today, even though Schroders has boosted the market with more than double first-half profits.

The FTSE 100 settled at 4332 points by close of business on Thursday, up 0.4% or 19.8 points.

It's the turn of the insurance and mining giants to dominate trading this morning, as Royal & SunAlliance surprised analysts with better than anticipated operating profit.

Energy stocks still seemed to be the dominant factor of the FTSE 100 index this afternoon, along with tech stocks, as the tropical storm continued off Mexico and Centrica announced a new purchase.

This morning's trading is again being influenced by oil stocks. This time, however, it is largely as a result of dividend payouts and a storm approaching the Gulf of Mexico.

Oil companies had been the dominant players in the London markets today, after yesterday's record oil price in New York, however it was eventually takeover talk for Barclays which lifted the FTSE 100 index further.

Oil and its impact on prices is still the dominant factor again this morning, as concerns about fuel surcharges hit British Airways' price again.

Oil prices are still close to a record high, so traders have taking the negative tone on the London stock indices by Monday close of business.

Trading on the UK stock markets is relatively unchanged this morning, as BA's need to increase its fuel surcharge has not been taken too well.