Nasdaq

Commodity metal prices continued to climb today, to the benefit of mining stocks and the FTSE 100 index as a result.

The UK's benchmark index is already off to a strong start this morning as mining stocks offer the best start to the week on the back of strong Pacific performances earlier in the day.

Hitting that psychological 5,500 FTSE 100 barrier still seems to be just out of reach as the index is today making very slows gains.

3i Group has seen some of the strongest gains this morning, pulling back the losses on the FTSE 100 index as a result of poor sales by high street retailer Boots. But it is the Asian markets which have today seen the best progress.

The FTSE 100 index has closed the day up on the back of a rising oil price and the prospect of problems with supply and distribution from US refineries if Hurricane Rita hits land.

Energy prices are driving trading in UK-listed stocks this morning as Centrica says it has doubled its profits and Premier Oil says its profits were increased by the continuining rise in oil prices.

The UK's benchmark stock index eventually closed the day just above its starting position, despite pressure from drinks firms Diageo and Scottish & Newcastle trading ex-dividend, as British American Tobacco received a boost against the threat of legal...

The FTSE 100 index is finally making gains for the first time in a week, as a report from the Office of National Statistics suggests the economy has grown faster than expected.

A further climb in the oil price and strong results for mobile operator giant Vodafone has lifted early trading in the FTSE 100 this morning.

The benchmark FTSE 100 index has pulled back the losses experienced after yesterday's terrorist attacks in London, and closed the week higher than when it started on Thursday, as the market anticipates an interest rate cut may now be imminent.