investment

The FTSE 100 has ended the day on a slight high with a rise of 4.9 points, or 0.09%, to 5,470, as firmer oil prices gave oil stocks such as BP a boost.

After a slow start, the FTSE 100 has made a small gain of 2.7 points, or 0.05%, to 5,467.8, thanks to a surge in mining stocks after a rise in copper prices.

The FTSE 100 has risen 41.6 points, or 0.77%, to 5,465.1 thanks to Antofagasta soaring because of rising copper prices.

The FTSE 100 has opened higher this morning with a rise of 21.7 points, or 0.40%, to 5,445.2, thanks to a good showing from the banking sector, although home improvement stocks were hit after a profit warning from Travis Perkins.

The FTSE 100 has closed 16.3 points, or 0.30%, lower to 5,423.5, as falls by BP, Vodafone and BT took away the gains made by Cairn Energy.

The FTSE 100 has moved slightly higher by 0.3 points, or 0.01%, to 5,440.1, as weaker fuel prices have eased concerns over inflation and company costs.

A website to help IFAs develop their Inheritance Tax (IHT) business has been launched by Scottish Provident International Life Assurance.

The FTSE 100 has fallen 21.10 points, or 0.39%, to 5,439.8, as AstraZeneca led stocks lower after news it is taking legal action against a rival. Tate and Lyle did their best to rally the index with little effect.

The FTSE 100 index has fallen 10.4 points, or 0.19%, to 5,450.5 despite good showings from Cable & Wireless and Antofagasta.

The FTSE 100 has ended the day practically unchanged with a small rise of 0.10 points to 5460.90, after mortgage lenders fell at signs of a slowdown in the housing market.