investment

The Monetary Policy Committee is likely to keep interest rates unchanged as overall consumer confidence appears to have stabilised.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day down 46.6 points, or 0.78% to 5,928.3, with a mix of weak insurers, and gloomy miners ensuring a poor result.

Latest figures from the British Bankers' Association show there has been strong gross mortgage lending but weak unsecured lending over the last month.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day up 25.9 points, or 0.44%, to 5,877.1 despite a poor start to Wall Street.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day up 114 points, or 2% higher, to 5,833.9, adding to its earlier rise, as Wall Street jumped forward in opening trades.

ABBEY HAS launched an ambitious plan to more than double its share of the investment and pensions market within the next 18 months.

The integration of Millfield into the businesses of its new owner will be at least a six month project says the head of The Money Portal.

Now the Finance Act 2006 has received Royal Assent, advisers should embrace the new legislation which has created "significant business opportunities".

Consumer confidence in buy-to-let property has increased over the last few months at the expense of more traditional investment products.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day up 8 points, or 0.14%, to 5,896.9 as Wall Street opened well allowing the index to reverse losses which had lasted most of the day.