SLI chief Skeoch says FTSE to end year at 6,000

Keith Skeoch, the head of Standard Life Investments, has predicted the FTSE 100 will close the year at 6,000 points, 14% higher than yesterday’s closing figure.

Despite a 2.71% London's leading index of shares so far this year, the bullish Skeoch will rebound over the remaining four and a half months of 2010.

Speaking to the Telegraph, the respected Skeoch says the FTSE will shrug off the threat of a double-dip recession.

"If you look at bond prices across the world, then we think the markets have already priced in slow growth - verging on a double-dip recession - but not deflation," he says.

"For stock markets, the situation is the similar, it is not about avoiding recession but deflation.

"Also, the FTSE 100 is not just linked to the state of the UK economy as almost 70% of profits are generated abroad by companies who have good exposure to emerging markets, which will support share prices."