S&P 500

The UK stock markets are tentatively waiting for the chancellor's pre-election Budget speech later today before making any significant moves, as the FTSE 100 is already down under the 5,000 mark again this morning.

Mining conglomerate BHP Billiton earlier today announced plans to buy Australia's WMC Resourcesfor A$9.2bn, but it wasn't enough to keep the UK's main stock index afloat.

The FTSE 100 index closed the day up back over the 5,000 mark again on Tuesday, as money managers and financial services firms made the best gains.

The FSTE 100 index suffered a setback today and closed down almost 28 points or 0.55% to just under 5,033 after several companies lost gains of recent days.

The FTSE 100 index is up already this morning in early trading, thanks to gains for drugs manufacturers GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca.

The FTSE 100 index eventually closed down almost flat at 5053.2 on the day, led by Schroders and Cairn Energy.

The FTSE 100 made a minor gain at the end of the week to hold its position over 5000, thanks to a ratings boost for Marks & Spencer.

The UK's benchmark index ended the week at a 2 ½ year high after a better general performance all week pushed the blue chips market closer towards the psychological 5,000 barrier.

The FTSE 100 closed the day with a strong performance to start the week alongside the US Nasdaq Composite, but the FTSE was still down on Monday's earlier 2 ½ year high.

The FTSE 100 index started the week with a 2 ½ year-high this morning, thanks mainly to British Airways, after oil prices fell again and profit forecasts from Irish rival Ryanair lifted other budget airlines.