Nasdaq

A slide in the value of stocks across the globe yesterday and today has again hit the performance of the FTSE 100 index, but it is this time being led by banking stocks.

The slow rebound on the FTSE 100 index has begun this morning and is led by the mining stocks which last week contributed to the drop in the index.

The FTSE 100 index is down 7.8 points, or 0.12%, to 6,436.6 in early trading, as results data is overshadowing some positive broker notes.

The FTSE 100 index is holding its ground again this morning, led in the main by commodity miners and firms affected by the dropping oil price.

Analysts upgrade for a handful of stocks on the FTSE 100 dominated trading on an otherwise uneventful day, to lift the FTSE 100 index by seven points or 0.1% to almost 6,318.

The FTSE 100 is struggling to hold ground this morning as attention has turned to the high street and reports from electrical retail DSG of reduced profit margins.

UK stockmarkets took another blow and closed the day down by the end of Tuesday's trading after ONS figures revealed higher inflation and fears about the security of UK utilities operations from terrorists sparks falls for associated stocks.

An organisation claiming to be the regulator for the booming but "cowboy-plagued" IVA industry has itself come under fire from the Department of Trade and Industry, reports the Times .

The FTSE 100 index closed the day up 36 points or almost 0.6% to 6,192.5 on Wednesday after reports suggested British Energy was the government's preferred bidder for British Nuclear.

The FTSE 100 index is just about managing to maintain any gains this morning, led in the main by banking group HBOS and Tate & Lyle, as the drop in oil price is now beginning to affect major stocks.