markets

Four days of gains have taken the FTSE 100 index to its highest level in a month, closing up 6.60 points at 4,983.60 today.

Comments ahead of OPEC's meeting in Iran tomorrow have pushed up oil stocks, sending the FTSE 100 index higher by about 13 points to 4,988.

The FTSE 100 index is up about 4 points to 4,992 this morning, paced by some earnings news and profits forecasts.

FTSE 100 shares are down this morning, shaving about 3 points off the index, which currently stands at about 4,815.

Results from house builder Taylor Woodrow outlining less than expected profits last year have helped sap confidence this morning, sending the FTSE 100 index down about 7 points to 4,846.

The FTSE 100 Index gained 32.70 points to 4,847, its highest level in two years, paced by Shire Pharmaceuticals.

In the UK, the FTSE 100 Index is up about 8 points to 4,822 this morning led by Shire Pharmaceuticals, up 4%, or 22.5p to 569.5p.

Advancing UK stocks have helped the FTSE 100 up 13.20 points to 4,811.30 for a sixth straight trading day of gains.

The FTSE 100 index closed 7 points higher to 4735.2 by close of business on Thursday, boosted by sales at British retail stores.

UK stocks have ended the day marginally higher by clinging to US confidence in its trading market and yesterday's interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve to 2.25%.