FTSE

The FTSE 100 index has shrugged off poor trading to advance 20.4 points to 5013.20 points in the morning session.

The FTSE 100 index has started well this morning, adding around 18 points to 5,024.6 points led by a 10% surge from Bunzl up 49.50p to 519.50p.

The FTSE 100 index is trading about five points above the 5,000 mark, adding 33.40 points this morning.

The FTSE 100 index is up about 4 points to 4,992 this morning, paced by some earnings news and profits forecasts.

The FTSE 100 index has declined 18.8 points this morning to 5,042 points, led by Hilton Group which is down 6.75p to 312.75p.

The FTSE 100 index closed just four points higher by close of business today at 5060.8 points, but was boosted by gains in the pharmaceuticals sector.

The FTSE 100 index is marginally down this morning, declining around 4 points to 5053.60 points on the back of a poor performance by US stocks.

In the UK, the FTSE 100 Index has shed a couple of points to close at 5,041.80 points, led by Cairn Energy.

In the UK the FTSE 100 Index has added a fraction of a point to 5,045, led by Allied Domecq after newspaper reports that French competitor Pernod Ricard has held talks with Fortune Brands on making a joint offer for the firm.

Not enough buyers were present to sustain the FTSE above the 5,000 points level, which was breached for the first time since June 2002.