Dow Jones

The FTSE 100 is up 37.6 points, or 0.59%, to 6,439.1 in early trading, following positive trading statements from Persimmon and AB Foods.

The FTSE 100 has broken back through the 6,400 barrier ending the session with gains of 20.6 points, or 0.32%, to 6,401.5, as investors focused on commodity and utility stocks.

The FTSE began slowly on Friday, dropping 0.36% to 6357.9. Early gainers included power supply firm Drax Group, which was up 1.33% to 725.5p. This was closely followed by BP, which is up 1.25% to 527p, and Sainsbury's, up 0.97% to 520p.

The FTSE 100 has ended the session up 23.8 points, or 0.37%, to 6,380.9, as positive mining stocks and well-received results news pushed the index higher.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day down 55.2 points, or 0.86%, to 6,357.1 as miners offset gains by financial stocks.

London's leading shares opened fairly high, despite the effect of a weaker mining sector, as bullish banks secured early gains.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day down 32.1 points, or 0.5%, to 6,412.3, as poor results news from drinks companies and a bad start to Wall Street failed to rally the index.

The FTSE 100 index is down 7.8 points, or 0.12%, to 6,436.6 in early trading, as results data is overshadowing some positive broker notes.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day down 13.8 points, or 0.21%, to 6,419.5, as there are now fears China may reduce demand for commodities and affect the revenue potential of mining firms.