Nasdaq

The FTSE 100 is currently down about 87 points or 2%to 4,458 after results reports from financial firms quickly dragged the index down.

The FTSE 100 closed up for the second day in a row this week - but only just - led by drinks giants Allied Domecq, Diageo and SABMiller.

Another high street bank, Lloyds TSB, has substantially increased its profits again in the last year but boosted trading on the FTSE 100 by only a fraction this morning.

The benchmark FTSE 100 ended the day up 6.7 points at 4,553.8 after UK stocks rose for the second day in three, paced by retailer GUS.

The FTSE 100 index ended the day down, even thought sterling hit a new six-week high against the dollar.

The benchmark FTSE 100 is currently up about 4 points to 4,562 after UK stocks commenced trading on a mixed note.

The FTSE 100 closed up 34 points at 4,559 and UK share prices rose for the third day in four, after the Bank of England left the base rate unchanged at 4%.

The FTSE 100 is currently up about 8 points to 4,545 after UK stocks commenced Tuesday morning on an upward trend, paced by Imperial Chemical Industries.

Talk of a takeover at BG Group, formerly British Gas, is driving the FTSE 100 up this morning and has helped to push the index back over the 4500 mark.

The benchmark FTSE 100 ended up 44.80 points at 4,537.00 after UK stocks rose for the third day in four, led by a gas company.