S&P 500

There was talk in the market of a takeover at Prudential by HBOS, however, the banking group quickly quashed any such suggestions to leave the FTSE 100 almost flat at close of business.

The FTSE 100 index eventually failed to make any headway on this morning's trading, as news of the Amvescap settlement with US regulators kept the market down.

Drinks giant Allied Domecq had an interesting few days on the FTSE last week, but has again made further gains by close of business on Monday, along with money manager Man Group.

It's good news for the drinks giants Diageo and Allied Domecq which really buoyed London trading on Friday.

A mixed day of trading on the London Stock Exchange saw the FTSE struggle to make gains as big names BAE and Barclays lost ground.

It was oil prices earlier today which kept the FTSE afloat, but by the end of Monday's trading, the tide had turned towards the prospects for coal and mineral prices.

Oil companies had been the dominant players in the London markets today, after yesterday's record oil price in New York, however it was eventually takeover talk for Barclays which lifted the FTSE 100 index further.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 5.3 points today at 4,413.4 after UK stocks rose paced by Barclays and Reed Elsevier Group.

The benchmark FTSE 100 index is currently up around 15 points to 4,422 after UK stocks rose, paced by Barclays Bank.

The FTSE 100 Index closed down 21.60 points to 4,408.10 today as UK stocks declined, led by losses made by media company British Sky Broadcasting Group.