Dow Jones

The FTSE 100 has topped 5,600 for the first time since August 2001. The index is currently up 3.9 points, or 0.07%, to 5,600.9, led higher by drugmaker AstraZeneca after it said it was buying a cancer specialist firm to boost its drug pipeline.

The FTSE 100 is up 5.5 points, or 0.1%, to 5,592.9, supported by gains in leisure firm Hilton after it confirmed that bidders were interested in buying its Ladbrokes gambling arm.

The FTSE 100 has closed 39.5 points, or 0.71%, higher at 5,587, as BAE Systems leapt on news of a UK/Saudi Arabia government tie-up.

The FTSE 100 is up 26 points, or 0.47%, to 5,573.9, as mining stocks are tracking gains in Australia and BAE Systems is gaining on hopes for a Saudi Arabian aircraft deal.

The FTSE 100 index is down 4.5 points, or 0.08%, to 5,535.3, weighed down by building materials group Hanson after it forecast a weak start to 2006.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day higher with gains of 8.2 points, or 0.15%, to 5,539.8, as it shrugged off weakness at Unilever and amongst oil shares as buoyant drug stocks and mining issues pushed higher.

The FTSE 100 is off to a good start to the week with gains of 12.5 points, or 0.23%, to 5,544.1, with drug stocks leading the advance in response to news a US judge has upheld key patents on Pfizer's Lipitor cholesterol drug.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day up 36.3 points or 0.66%, to 5,531.6, with Daily Mail and General Trust leading the advance.

The FTSE 100 index is bouncing back after an up and down week with gains of 42.7 points or 0.78% to 5,538, largely on the back of news affecting British American Tobacco.

The FTSE 100 has closed slightly down with a loss of 25.8 points, or 0.47%, to 5,495.3, as a strong showing on the property front was not enough to counteract weak mining stocks.