FTSE

The FTSE is once again over the magic 6,000 mark as stocks including AMEC and ITV drive the index upwards.

The FTSE fell 6.6 points, or 0.11%, to 5977.3 as Alliance & Leicester led losses on news it has raised mortgage rates for the second time this week.

An early slide on Wall Street sent the FTSE 100 index into the red this afternoon, it fell 6.30 points (0.11%) to 5983.90.

The FTSE 100 has opened weaker this morning as the gloomy IMF forecast for UK economic prospects surrounds the city. The index is 23 points lower (0.38%) to 5967.20.

The FTSE rose 53.9 points, or 0.91%, to 6,001 as commodities stayed strong this afternoon.

The FTSE has climbed 38.4 points, or 0.57%, to 5981.2 in early trading on Monday as commodities led gains.

The FTSE100 closed up 55 at 5,947, just short of the 6,000 mark, at the end of the week.

The FTSE100 is up 26.80 and edging closer to 6000 at 5918.10 this morning, aided by a 31.00 increase for British Energy .

High metal prices and escalating crude oil costs softened the losses for the FTSE 100 today, closing 24.60 points (0.42%) down to 5891.30.

The FTSE 100 is fighting back from a sluggish start this morning, with the mining and resources sector again leading the way. The blue-chip index is currently 3.50 points lower (0.06%) to 5912.40.