FTSE 100

In early trading the FTSE 100 has slipped 29.5 points, or 0.48%, to 6,162.5, with broadcaster ITV one of the biggest losers so far.

The FTSE 100 Index fell 23 points, or 0.4%, to 6,208 points today, led by drug companies GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca.

Fears about the introduction of price controls on drugs in the US have pushed the FTSE 100 index down this morning, as such a move is likely to have an impact of the profitability of GlaxoSmithKline.

The FTSE 100 Index recovered some of its earlier losses to close down 7.50 points, or 0.1%, at 6,232 points today, with ITV the biggest riser.

Retail therapy was the order of the day on the FTSE 100 index by the end of Tuesday, superseding the strong gains felt earlier for commodity and oil stocks along with losses at Yell.

The FTSE 100 index is struggling to make any headway this morning, even though oil and metal prices are up again and Marks & Spencer has seen improved profits.

The FTSE 100 Index hit a five and a half year high today, up 79.90 points, or 1.3%, at 6,224 points, supported by insurers and miners.

Funding targets for pension schemes will increase by around 10%, despite the pension deficits of FTSE 100 companies falling £8bn over the last month.

The FTSE 100 Index has climbed 35.5 points, or 0.6%, to 6183.60 points this morning after an approach to buy France's Vivendi SA rekindled speculation mergers and acquisitions will increase in Europe.

The FTSE 100 is down 19.3 points, or 0.31%, to 6,130.3 in early trading as miners retreated after a fall in metal prices.