FTSE 100

Wall Street continues to be buoyed by comments yesterday from Fed chairman Ben Bernanke indicating the recession in the US could be over.

The FTSE 100 is off to a solid start this morning after a late surge on Wall Street yesterday following Ben Bernanke's comments that the US recession is over.

Wall Street shares dipped on opening as a trade spat between the US and China escalated.

The FTSE 100 has dropped back below the 5,000 mark as miners suffer from profit taking on fears the rally in metal prices may have gone too far.

London's blue chip index has passed the 5,000 points barrier once more, buoyed by optimism on Wall Street over night.

The FTSE 100 broke through 5,000 this afternoon for the first time since October last year.

The FTSE has opened lower upon investors' concerns the index has out-paced the recovery as it hit an 11 month high yesterday.

The FTSE 100 has extended its gains this afternoon as Cadbury snubs Kraft's £10.2bn takeover approach.

The FTSE 100 is being spurred forwards by Cadbury this morning on news the British chocolate maker has received a £10.2bn takeover approach from US goods giant Kraft.

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