FTSE 100

Miners are leading the FTSE 100 higher this morning, as Barclays announced a near £3bn pre-tax profit for the first half of 2009.

Over the past few weeks, the UK market has been experiencing some broadening out, and we have seen the defensive sectors playing catch-up with good share price rises in tobacco and food producers, for example.

US shares gained as investors took heart from better-than-expected US GDP numbers showing the pace of economic decline is slowing.

London's FTSE 100 index stalled this morning after reaching its highest point for almost seven months on Thursday.

Arc Capital & Income (ACI) has issued its latest capital protected fixed income plan, offering a monthly return of 0.5% over five years.

Financials have helped the FTSE 100 regain its winning streak, with the index up over 1% this afternoon.

The FTSE 100 has this morning begun to reclaim some of yesterday's losses, with a buoyant Schroders ahead early on the back of an upgrade from Morgan Stanley analysts.

US blue-chip stocks have opened flat today as investor sentiment cooled following the two-week rally.

The FTSE 100 once again headed higher this morning after closing ahead on Monday for the 11th consecutive session.

US stocks traded lower in New York this morning as a number of disappointing trading statements curbed recent investor appetite.