FTSE 100

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.

While the ambitions of a fund manager and the beliefs of a committed Christian might seem very incongruous, one fund manager at least sees things very sees things differently

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.