markets

The FTSE 100 index closed down 0.12% at 5,780 points today as PartyGaming's poor showing offset gains posted by oil major companies, and Cable & Wireless lost all of its earlier gains.

The FTSE 100 Index is little changed, slipping 1.3 points, or less than 0.1%, to 5785.5 this morning.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 1.12% at 5,787 points, its highest level since June 2001, led by M&A activity and an upbeat start on Wall Street.

The FTSE 100 Index is up 42.5 points, or 0.7%, to 5,765.1 this morning, beating a four and a half year high of 5,750.3 set earlier this month.

The FTSE 100 came close to a fresh four and a half year high as it climbed 18.2 points, or 0.32%, to 5,722.6, but closed well off the day's best level as oil and tobacco shares fell.

The FTSE 100 Index has advanced 12.5 points, or 0.2%, to 5716.90 this morning, led by Northern Rock and British Airways.

The FTSE 100 Index closed 70.6 points, or 1.3%, higher at 5,704.4 points today, with bid activity igniting stocks such as BOC and miners rallying in line with record metals prices.

FTSE 100 index is up 26.8 points, or 0.5%, at 5,660.4 this morning, recovering all of Tuesday's loss.

The FTSE 100 Index closed down 27.10 points, or 0.48%, to 5633.80 today led by Yell, as Britain's Competition Commission said the firm was in a strong market position, arousing fears its growth may be curbed.

The FTSE 100 Index fell 0.20% to 5,661 today, although this reflected stocks clawing back much of their earlier deficit, telecoms firms extending gains and HSBC cutting losses.