FTSE

The FTSE 100 made tentative gains in early trading on Monday, creeping up more than 20 points, or 0.46%, to 4,582.65.

The FTSE 100 opened 2009 in positive territory with a rise of 15.07, up 0.34% to 4449.24 by 09.00 GMT.

The FTSE 100 looks set to record its worst ever annual performance despite stocks staging a late recovery in the first two trading days this week.

The FTSE 100 shot up sharply for the second straight day following the Christmas break, adding 39.76 points, or 0.92%, to 4,359.11 by 9am.

Mining stocks lead the way in London this morning as the FTSE 100 begins trading higher after the four-day break, up 89.04 points, or 2.11%, to 4,305.63.

The Dow Jones closed 1.18% down yesterday as investors continue to be concerned the auto bailout may not save the car companies and home prices may fall even further.

Early gains for a handful of financial stocks has driven the FTSE 100 higher in early trading this morning - up 28.5 points, or 0.67% to 4,277.66.

The FTSE 100 dipped this morning - falling 0.96% to 4,246.42 by 9.30am - with the LSE leading the losers.

Despite yesterdays gains on the back of a rally in retail sales, the FTSE 100 is in decline today, opening at 4,314.51 and registering losses of 1.7% by mid morning.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was spurred today on news the Chinese government is to introduce measures to stimulate its housing market, ending the day up nearly 2.2%.