Nasdaq

The FTSE 100 index has started the day flat at 4,455 points after UK stocks fell slightly, paced by declines made by Boots and Next.

A boost in potential profits for Imperial Chemical Industries helped the FTSE 100 to close up today, as confidence in the industrial and mining sectors shifted back into the blue.

The benchmark FTSE 100 index has so far gained about 33 points to 4,451 after UK stocks rose today, paced by Hays and Man Group.

Trading on the London Stock Exchange was less than comfortable today, after Vodafone - one of the largest UK stocks by volume - has had its biggest drop in almost 18 months on the back of a profit warning.

Despite glimmers of hope this morning for a recovery in the global stockmarkets, the confidence about falling oil prices was shortlived, as traders struggled to find good news to hang onto.

Prospect of improved oil output by OPEC may be part of the reason for a small rise in the FTSE 100 index this morning, but firms are clearly still nervous about which way oil prices will go.

The FTSE 100 is trading up a fraction this morning following financial results from Cadbury Schweppes and manufacturer Tomkins.

The benchmark FTSE 100 index closed down another 1% today to 4,428.7 led by declines in the mining industry, as there are further concerns the recent oil price increase will slow economic growth and hurt profits.

The benchmark FTSE 100 has so far lost almost 34 points to 4,438 after UK stocks fell this morning paced by Rentokil Initial.

The benchmark FTSE 100 is currently up about 30 points to 4,444 after UK stocks rose paced by Antofagasta and Xstrata.