markets

The FTSE 100 Index fell 7.70 points, or 0.1%, to close at 5,992 points today as the expected good start on Wall Street failed to materialise and insurers eased up on earlier gains.

The FTSE 100 Index has climbed 27.3 points, or 0.5%, to 6026.7 points this morning led by insurers Prudential and Legal & General.

The FTSE 100 Index slipped away from the 6,000 mark this afternoon, closing just 6 points, or 0.01%, higher at 5,999 points with life insurers including Legal & General leading the risers.

The FTSE 100 Index is little changed this morning, slipping 2 points to 5963.1 points with gains by Corus Group and Prudential.

The FTSE 100 Index rose 52 points, or 0.9%, to 5,908 points today - above 5,900 points for the first time since June 2001.

The FTSE 100 Index has declined 0.9 points, or less than 0.1%, to 5855 points this morning, paced by Anglo American and Rio Tinto.

The FTSE 100 Index closed 43 points, or 0.7%, higher at 5,856 points today led by talk Novartis is lining up a bid for AstraZeneca.

The FTSE 100 Index has advanced 36.1 points, or 0.6%, to 5,849 points this morning paced by oil and energy companies as crude oil gains for the first time this week.

The FTSE 100 Index closed down 38.60 points, or 0.7%, at 5,818.80 points today as blue-chips including Royal Bank of Scotland went ex-dividend and miners fell on lower metal prices.

The FTSE 100 Index was down 40.40 points, or 0.7%, to 5,857 points today as miners fell on lower metal prices and blue chips were hit by profit taking.