Dow Jones

News the Clive Cowdery-led Resolution Ltd is looking to control lender Bradford and Bingley has fuelled a positive start for London markets this morning. B&B itself is 14.39% ahead this morning, to 75.50.

The FTSE100 has given up a strong early start in mid-morning trading, with HBOS continuing to slide below its rights issue level. The blue-chip index is currently just 4.50 points (0.08%) higher to 5625.30.

Shares on London's blue chip index fell by 1.5% as yet more dismal financial news weighed on the market, and concerns grew about the still-rising price of oil.

The FTSE100 is on a downward slide this morning despite a positive opening, with downgrades denting a fine Friday start for homebuilders. The index is currently 11 points (0.19%) behind to 5697.40.

London markets have opened relatively steady this morning despite losses on Wall Street and a strong sell-off in Asia. The FTSE100 is currently 9.50 points (0.17%) lower to 5747.40.

The FTSE 100 closed 1.8% lower on Wednesday, though slightly above earlier lows, as shares in retailers, banks and housebuilder Persimmon fell.

London markets have started poorly this morning as a host of downgrades punished blue chip stocks in early trading. The FTSE100 is currently 43.40 points (0.74%) lower to 5818.50.

The FTSE 100 rose 1.1% on Tuesday, adding 67.34 points to close at 5,861.9, boosted by such major miners as Eurasian Natural Resources , which led the gainers with a 6.2% gain, Lonmin , up 4.4%, and Anglo American , 4% higher.

Traders had been expecting the consumer price index to leap above 3% in May and didn't respond noticeably to this morning's news that it actually touched 3.3%, more than 1% above the government's target.

The FTSE100 has opened in positive territory this morning as Barclays dominates the news early Monday. The blue chip index is currently 10.30 points (0.18%) higher to 5813.10.