FTSE 100

US blue chips barely moved off the starting blocks in opening exchanges despite Government data showing US unemployment in August reached its highest level since 1983.

A revival in appetite for UK mining firms, spurred by a rebound in metal prices, helped to push up the UK's benchmark index in early exchanges.

Harewood Solutions, a part of BNP Paribas, is launching a new UK Enhanced Income fund.

The FTSE has opened flat despite a rally from miners and natural resources companies.

Positive US job figures failed to spur the Dow Jones in early trading on Wednesday.

Lloyds Banking Group is among the fallers in early trading on Wednesday on rumours it is close to securing a deal that will see some of its bad loans insured under the Government's asset insurance scheme.

US stocks pushed ahead after a report showed a revival in manufacturing activity in August after a year and a half of contraction.

UK blue chip shares fell following the Bank Holiday weekend as investors locked in profits from miners.

It has, on the whole, been a positive time for markets, and enthusiastic investors have been rewarded accordingly.

US blue chip stocks edged up in early exchanges, echoing gains in stock markets across Europe and Asia.