FTSE 100

In the UK, the FTSE 100 index has lost ground this morning, dropping 12.5 points to 4737.3.

The FTSE 100 Index has completed a day of recovery trading positively in the absence of its counterpart in the US today due to a thanksgiving holiday.

Stocks in the UK have closed higher today, pushed by telecom firms MM02 and Vodafone, with the FTSE 100 index closing up 9.40 points at 4,805.30.

The FTSE 100 Index is trading fractionally down about 7 points to 4,796 this morning, although mobile phone company Vodafone is doing its bit to hold the market steady

London's benchmark FTSE index capped a good day today led by Cable & Wireless and Rio Tinto, closing up 16.80 points at 4,734.50.

London's benchmark stock market index, the FTSE 100, has started well this morning picking up 20.6 points to 4738.30 points thanks to Cable & Wireless.

British Airways has announced its half year results, with the result that the FTSE 100 has slipped about 14 points 4,726.

Final call on the US election could yet be at least a couple of weeks away, but global stock markets are already reacting positively to Bush's as the FTSE 100 has crossed the 4700 barrier for the first time in two years.

The FTSE 100 Index has added about 9.70 points to 4683.50 points this morning, following a day of good returns for all but one company on the exchange.

Drugs giant Shire Pharmaeuticals helped the FTSE 100 index to cross the psychological 4,600 barrier again this afternoon, after announcing it has distribution approval in the US.