FTSE today: report - the market here on February 17, 2011.

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Another commodity was also causing problems for the retailers. As the price of cotton broke through $2 per pound, investors worried about squeezed margins. Mid-cap Supergroup fell 58p to £16.60 and blue-chip, Next, dropped 30p to £19.67.

3.15pm: Wall Street falls on unemployment benefits rise

Wall Street edged into negative territory in afternoon trading following a bigger-than-expected jump in first-time applications for unemployment benefits last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 15 points to 12273.

London's large-caps were in indecisive mood, with the FTSE 100 edging down 9 points to 6075. The FTSE 250 put on 12 points to 11819.

Housebuilders were experiencing mixed fortunes after Redrow swung back into the black at its half-year results.

Analysts at Matrix Partners kept their "add" rating, saying:

"While there is still much to be achieved, the group under the new management team is moving more rapidly into a position of robust health than we would have thought possible in this tough housing market. The rate of recovery seems to be gathering some momentum, but the aspect that needs careful consideration, we believe, is the durability of the new strategy if consumer confidence and mortgage availability declines further."

Despite its return to profit, Redrow fell 2.8 to 130.2p, but the chairman's comments about the strength of the housing market boosted other housebuilders.

Steve Morgan told journalists: "I'm a lot more confident than I've been at any time since I've been back in the business about the spring selling season."

"We're definitely, definitely seeing a big, big uptake," he said, adding that consumers are "fed up of the doom and gloom".

That helped Taylor Wimpey rise 1.39 to 38.42 and Barratt Developments put on 2.55 to 100.9p.

11.50am: Ladbrokes investors unimpressed by full-year results

Ladbrokes disappointed the market with a fall in full-year profits as revenues from high rollers slumped 95pc to £3.5m. Britain's biggest bookmaker was also silent on takeover talks with 888. Ladbrokes fell 3.9 to 138.1p while Sportingbet dropped 1.51 to 46.99p.

Analysts at Matrix Partners kept their "add" recommendation on Ladbrokes, but said:

"We would expect that sentiment will be on the slightly negative side in terms of the short-term outlook for the numbers. After the very surprising bounces in both Ladbrokes and William Hill share prices following the ‘broadly as expected’ Levy announcement, we would expect both stocks to give up some of those gains today."

William Hill edged up 0.5 to 192.8p.

The wider market was marking time, with the FTSE 100 virtually flat - it nudged up 1 point to 6086.28 while the FTSE 250 put on 20.4 points to 11827.48.

Sean Power, equity analyst at City Index , said:

"The first hour of trading had a very subdued feel to it, which was evident with the ease and speed at which the 6100 mark was reached and then retreated from. In quiet sessions volumes are thin and markets can make ‘false’ moves, which can be quickly reversed. With no real negative news at present the markets could continue to drift slowly upward. Unless there is any market moving news released during the remainder of this morning’s session, one should be wary of any excessive ‘false’ lurch in either direction by the market. Until the US trading session begins investors should trade cautiously given the quiet nature of today’s market."

9.15am: BAE Systems takes tumble as FTSE 100 marks time

The FTSE 100 was trading up just 1.7 points at 6086.92 at 9am, after briefly rising to its highest level since May 2008.

Part-privatised lenders, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group, both rose over 1.7pc, buoyed by strong results from Barclays and French bank Societe Generale this week - the two report results next week.

Britain's biggest defence and security company, BAE Systems, posted healthy profits but disappointed on outlook. Shares in the company fell 3.5pc after it said it expected sales to fall in 2011, citing cuts in defence budgets in Britain and the US.

Investec Securities placing its "buy" rating for the stock under review, saying: "It feels like profits can be sustained (on lower revs) in 2011, meaning our forecasts would be largely unchanged. However, risk is firmly on the downside and the shares are likely to reflect this."

Talk of a gradual recovery this year by publisher Reed Elsevier after it reported a 2pc rise in underlying sales in 2010 that was broadly in line with forecasts, put off investors. The shares fell 2.2pc.

Among the second liners, Sports Direct, Britain's biggest sporting goods retailer, said it would meet its target for year profit, with trading still strong after a robust third quarter. The bullish update lifted the stock 4.4pc to 175p, with Seymour Pierce raising its price target to 190p from 165p.

06:00 Asia lacklustre

Asian markets were mixed Thursday, with some boosted from strong US corporate earnings while China sagged after Beijing slapped new restrictions on property purchases to cool the overheating sector.

The Nikkei 225 stock average rose 0.26pc, to 10,837 as the country's auto sector rose. Honda gained 2pc and Nissan 1.4 pc.

Meanwhile, mainland property shares in Hong Kong were pummeled a day after Beijing's city government announced measures to ease its housing squeeze, including restrictions on purchases by nonresidents and limits on the number of homes that residents can buy.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was flat at 23,158 and the Shanghai Composite index dropped 0.4pc to 2,910.

In New York overnight, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.5pc, to close at 12,288, its highest since June 13, 2008.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 21.21, or 0.8pc, to 2,825.56 on Wednesday.

Thursday's Market Report:

Banks bounce back as blue-chips tread water

FTSE today: market report - as it happened February 17, 2011

Wednesday's Market Report:

Resolution races up ahead of market update

Tuesday's Market Report:

Imagination surges up as Micro Focus melts

FTSE today: market report - as it happened February 15, 2011

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FTSE today: report - the market here on February 11, 2011.

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However, Wall Street weakened, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 21 points to 12207. Confidence was dented by food giant, Kraft, lowering its full-year earnings forecasts in light of rising commodity costs.

Back on this side of the Atlantic, Barclays was amongst the sharpest fallers after Arturo de Frias, banking analyst at Evolution Securities, reiterated his “sell” rating. While he believed that Project Merlin was good news for Barclays, the next obstacle - capital - will be far more difficult to negotiate.

Barclays fell 4.4 to 308.85p.

But on a more positive note, Legal & General advanced 3.8 to 122.6p on the back of a bullish note from Nomura. Analysts suggested that the market was underestimating the potential of the insurer’s asset management operations. While that division accounts for 21pc of earnings at the moment, the broker reckons that could rise to 37pc by 2013.

Amongst the small-caps, Renovo tumbled 50.75 - or 74pc - to 17.75p after announcing that its anti-scarring product, Juvista, had failed a late-stage trial.

"We are extremely surprised and disappointed by the failure of Juvista to meet the Phase III trial primary and secondary endpoints," chief executive Mark Ferguson said.

"The board of Renovo will now consider all options open to it to maximise shareholder value."

11.40am: Retailers fall back as John Lewis posts underwhelming sales growth

Leading the benchmark index into negative territory during morning trading were the retailers, with Next shedding 64p to £19.99. Marks & Spencer and Kingfisher lost 9 to 362.6p and 4.5 to 248.5p respectively.

Weighing on the retailers were underwhelming weekly sales figures from John Lewis. The department store chain said that its 1pc increase in sales was "admittedly not a large one, but in positive territory nonetheless".

Howard Archer of IHS Global Insight said the small rise, following on from modest declines over the previous two weeks, "reinforces concerns that consumers are reining in their spending".

He added:

"The recent softer trend in John Lewis sales reinforces suspicion that consumers will be very cautious in their spending in 2011 in the face of serious headwinds. Higher inflation (fuelled by January's VAT hike) and muted earnings growth is increasingly squeezing purchasing power. Meanwhile, unemployment is high and likely to rise further, other elements of the fiscal squeeze will increasingly bite as the year progresses (for example, employers' national insurance contributions will rise in April), and debt levels are elevated."

John Lewis was responsible for an even heavier fall on the second tier. Ocado plunged 44.4 to 240.6p after the John Lewis pension fund cashed in its 10.4pc stake in the online grocer, raising £152m.

John Lewis transferred a 29pc stake in Ocado to the pension fund in 2008. The fund sold more than half that holding in Ocado's initial public offering in July, and was prevented from selling the rest for six months. Analysts had been expecting the fund to sell the rest of the holding at some point.

Ocado's share price languished below its 180p float price for much of last year, but has recently perked up as short sellers covered their positions and speculation around a possible bid for the company, which delivers Waitrose groceries.

Analysts at Jefferies, who have a "hold" on Ocado, said:

"We do not see any operational significance from today's development. We do note, however, the extent to which Ocado's equity had recently benefited from a favourable supply and demand imbalance. We believe today's placing is likely to address that technical situation."

Ocado was the sharpest faller on the second tier. The FTSE 250 fell 28 points to 11693 and the FTSE 100 shed 19 points to 6000.67.

Asian indices drop back

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 0.4pc to 22,620.22, a day after closing below 23,000 for the first time this year.

Tom Kaan of Louis Capital Markets said the drop was led by faltering shares in the company that runs the territory's stock exchange, following a flurry of merger discussions between exchanges that didn't include Hong Kong's.

China's Shanghai Composite index was off 0.1pc to 2,815.61. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 let go of the previous day's gains, dropping 0.3pc to 4,898.60.

Indexes in Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia were also lower. Japan's markets were closed for a public holiday.

Seoul was the only bright spot, with South Korea's benchmark Kospi rising 0.1pc to 2,010.01 after the Bank of Korea left its key interest rate at 2.75pc despite rising inflation.

Market sentiment was glum as anti-government protests in Egypt picked up steam and Wall Street started to sag after a bright week.

"With Egypt looking like it's blowing up again, investor confidence is really not there," said Kaan. "I am worried about the U.S. market after an eight-day winning streak, you may see a correction coming in and that could weigh on Asian markets next week."

Oil prices jumped as Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak clung to power amid growing protests calling for his resignation. The dollar was up against the euro and the yen.

US stocks finished flat Thursday, dragged down by Cisco Systems Inc. and Akamai Technologies Inc. Both issued weak earnings forecasts, raising concerns about business and technology spending.

Cisco, the world's largest networking equipment maker, had a 14pc drop — the largest fall of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 10 points to 12,229. The S&P 500 rose a point to 1,321. The Nasdaq composite rose 1.4 point to 2,790.

Stocks traded lower much of the day, despite the Labor Department saying that 383,000 people applied for unemployment benefits for the first time last week, the lowest level in nearly three years.

Economists say applications would need to fall to 375,000 or below on a consistent basis before the unemployment rate will decline.

Benchmark crude for March delivery was up 65 cents at $87.38 a barrel in New York. The contract rose 2 cents to settle at $86.73 per barrel on Thursday.

A surge in Portugal's borrowing costs, meanwhile, again inflamed concerns about Europe's debt crisis, leading to a slip in the euro against the dollar.

The European currency slid to $1.3577, after falling to $1.3593 late Thursday. The dollar was also stronger against the Japanese yen, at 83.44 from 83.32 late Thursday.

Friday's Market Report:

Retailers retreat as FTSE rallies on Egypt relief

FTSE today: market report - as it happened February 11, 2011

Thursday's Market Report:

ICAG nosedives on Air France profit warning

FTSE today: market report - as it happened February 10, 2011

Wednesday's Market Report:

LSE-TMX merger prompts global jump in bourse shares

FTSE today: market report - as it happened February 9, 2011

Tuesday's Market Report:

GKN speeds ahead as car sales accelerate

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FTSE today: report - the market here on March 10, 2011.

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Jonathan Plant, a strategist at Liberum Capital, said: “With stagflationary growth, geopolitical troubles and developed-market austerity on the way, it should be a good test of the ‘buy the dips’ scheme mentality that pervades this market.”

ARM Holdings, the Cambridge company that designs microchips for the iPhone and iPad, led the bluechip loserboard after analysts at JP Morgan downgraded the stock. The bank warned that ARM is likely to be one of the biggest losers from a slowdown in demand for tablet computers, such as the iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab. The analysts said the Far East companies churning out tablets are sitting on a huge backlog of chips, which will hurt ARM’s royalty revenues going forward. The shares, which have risen by 26pc so far this year, had lost 41p to 533p by 3pm.

Next up among the losers is Aggreko, down 16.7 to 525p after the temporary power supplier warned that lack of major sporting events and the unrest in the Middle East and north Africa could make life a little tricky this year. A bumper year of sport in 2010, including the World Cup, the winter Olympics in Vancouver and the Asian games, added £87m to Aggreko’s 2010 revenues of £1.23bn. “We have tried to persuade FIFA to run the World Cup every year, sadly they have not listened,” Rupert Soames, chief executive, said. “Every even year, you get a big year for events and every odd year, youre basically down to the tiddlywinks championships.

Andrew Nussey, an analyst at Peel Hunt, who has a hold recommendation on Aggreko, said he “would not chase” the stock at 18.7 times 2011 forecast earnings “until there are signs of further earnings upgrades”. The shares were down 100p to £13.89.

12pm: Investors are filling their trolleys with shares in Wm Morrison after Britain’s fourth-biggest supermarket announced plans to join the internet shopping melee within two years.

Morrisons, the only one of the "big four" grocers that currently lacks an internet presence, is giving itself a head start by buying a 10pc chunk in posh New York online grocer Fresh Direct. Dalton Philips, chief executive, said investing £32m in Fresh Direct and buying baby clothes website Kiddicare.com for £70m, would enable it to “get to the right answers faster” before launching a British website.

Chris Hogbin, an analyst at Sanford Bernstein, said: “The initiatives are sensible and Morrisons is well able to afford them.”

However, Espirito Santo analysts said the step up in new store openings could raise concerns about investment returns, with all other major British grocers pledging to expand rapidly.

The Bradford-based chain also increased its dividend by 17pc following a 2pc rise in profits to £874m. It will also buyback £1bn worth of shares over the next two years. The shares were 4.5p up 284.9p at lunchtime and leading the bluechip index.

However, the sun wasn’t shining on Argos and Homebase after their owner, Home Retail, warned its full-year profits would be below expectations. Britain’s biggest household goods retailer said sales slid in January and Terry Duddy, chief executive, warned there were “clear signs” of “further pressure on consumer spending”. The shares dropped 14.7 to 196.2p.

Nick Budd, an analyst at Arden, said: “As bid hopes fade further, with share buyback support now finished, we think the shares will soon re-test new lows. We target 175p and reiterate our sell on Home, despite the cash mountain and the 14.7p dividend [covered only 1.25 times]. The yield is 7pc at 211p, but we think that needs to be 8.5pc to compensate for the risks in the earnings outlook.”

Overall, the FTSE 100 index was down 57 points to 5,880 points, as resource stocks took a hammering. Fresnillo was down 72p to £15.18 and Rio Tinto lost 150p to £39.39. Randgold Resoucres, Anglo American, Xstrata, BHP Billiton, ENRC and Vedanta Resources were also among the losers after Chinese stats hint at a slowdown in demand for metals.

9am: Spain downgrade forces down FTSE

The FTSE 100 was down almost 1pc in early trading on Thursday as Moody's downgrading of Spain and ongoing turmoil in LIbya weighed on European stocks.

The UK's blue-chips dropped 45.94 to 5891.36 at 9am, led by ARM Holdings (down 6pc), Aggreko (down 5.1pc) and Standard Life (down 4.4pc).

France's CAC 40 and Germany's Dax also both slipped around 1pc.

Ratings agency Moody's cut Spain's sovereign debt rating one notch on Thursday and warned of further cuts due to fears that bank restructuring will likely cost more than twice what the government expects.

Meanwhile, traders are keeping a wary eye on oil prices, which have been driven higher during weeks of anti-government unrest that has shut down most of Libya's 1.6m barrels per day of crude production.

"Oil prices now are the major concern in the market," said Jackson Wong, a vice-president at Tanrich Securities.

Brent crude for April delivery was up 16 cents to $116.10 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange. Sustained higher oil prices could put a damper on the economic recovery by adding to costs for businesses.

Wall Street was poised to extend Wednesday's losses, with Dow futures down 70 points at 12,104.00. Broader S&P futures lost 9.5 points to 1,305.90.

In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average ended 1.4pc lower at 10,434.38 after the government said the economy shrank 1.3pc in the fourth quarter. That's more than preliminary data last month suggested.

Chinese shares fell on expectations that February inflation data due out Friday would be lower than the previous month but still higher than the government's 4pc target.

The Shanghai Composite Index lost 1.5pc to close at 2,957.14. The Shenzhen Composite Index of China's smaller, second exchange lost 0.7pc to 1,302.65.

South Korea's Kospi extended losses after the central bank raised its key interest rate for the second time in three months. The index fell 1pc to 1,981.58.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index retreated 0.8pc to 23,614.89.

6am: Japanese woes weigh down markets

Asian shares fell on Thursday, weighed down by ongoing fighting in Libya and a larger than expected contraction in Japan's economy.

Traders are keeping a wary eye on oil prices, which have been driven higher during weeks of anti-government unrest that has shut down most of Libya's 1.6m barrels per day of crude production.

"Oil prices now are the major concern in the market," said Jackson Wong, a vice-president at Tanrich Securities.

Brent crude for April delivery was up 40 cents to $116.34 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange. Sustained higher oil prices could put a damper on the economic recovery by adding to costs for businesses. The dollar was higher against the yen and the euro.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average was off 1.6pc at 10,416.01, with nearly all sectors in negative territory. Toyota Motor Corp tumbled more than 2pc, and major bank Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group fell 1.8pc.

Investors have also been digesting economic data from China.

Shanghai's composite index fell 1pc to 2,792.10 even after the Chinese government said trade grew strongly in the first two months of the year.

Wong said the focus is on inflation data scheduled to be released Friday. Surging food prices have pushed China's inflation higher in recent months, adding to pressure on Beijing to cool living costs with more interest rate hikes and other measures. Wong said the latest consumer price index (CPI) report will likely understate the problem.

"I don't trust the official CPI data," Wong said. "When we talk to people in China and also people in Hong Kong, they all say the inflation is worsening."

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index retreated 0.6pc to 23,660.79.

Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong's biggest airline, fell 1.3pc a day after company executives reported annual profit tripled to a record but warned that higher oil prices threatened profitability in 2011.

Benchmarks in Australia, Taiwan, Singapore and also lost ground. South Korea's central bank raised its key interest rate for the second time in three months as it steps up efforts to control inflation that has risen to its highest level in more than two years.

The Bank of Korea lifted its benchmark base rate to 3pc from 2.75pc at a monthly monetary policy meeting.

In New York on Wednesday, stocks slipped as WTI crude oil prices hovered near $104 a barrel, continuing a three-week run of high prices that economists say could slow the economic recovery.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 1.29, or less than 0.1pc, to 12,213.09.

The broader S&P index lost 1.80 points, or 0.1pc, to close at 1,320.02. The Nasdaq composite fell 14.05, or 0.5pc, to 2,751.72.

Thursday's Market Report:

Apple iPad success could hurt ARM Holdings

Wednesday's Market Report:

'Spectacular' Prudential leads the FTSE 100

FTSE today: market report as it happened: March 9, 2011

Tuesday's Market Report:

Falling oil price hits gold miners

FTSE today: market report - as it happened March 8, 2011

Monday's Market Report:

ENRC falls on talk of Kazakhmys stake sale

FTSE today: market report - as it happened March 7, 2011

Friday's Market Report:

FTSE today: market report – as it happened March 4, 2011

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FTSE today: report - the market here on February 21, 2011.

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Invensys has long been mooted as potential break-up candidate. Ulf Henriksson, Invensys chief executive, appeared to sugest as much last November when he said that China Southern Rail could acquire or take a stake in the business, although the company later downplayed his comments.

3.10pm: ITV falls back amid X Factor rumours

ITV came under pressure as the afternoon wore on amid reports that Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole may not appear in the 2011 series of the channel's hit show, The X Factor.

There has been speculation that the pair would not be able to sit on the judging panel of this year's series as it clashes with the US version of the show in both are tipped to take part.

As investors fretted about the impact of the potential departure of two of the show's biggest names, ITV fell 2.1 to 84.25p.

However, analysts at UBS were quick to reassure anxious investors. In a note asking Cowell and Cole; will they won't they?, analysts suggested that putting together a different panel would be better than delaying the screening in order to have the same panel.

"The X Factor auditions are imminent and the show starts in August; either ITV go ahead and show it or delay screening until January 2012 in order to have the same panel. We argue that it is likely ITV continues the screening as planned with a slightly different panel," said analysts.

Keeping their target price of 100p, they added: "We believe the advertising loss would not be significant as ITV can bring in other celebrity names."

ITV's fall was mirrored by the wider market. The FTSE 250 fell 56 points to 11771 and the FTSE 100 shed 28 points to 6054.

11.50am: Middle East protests keeps benchmark index under pressure

As unrest rippled across the Middle East, investors were once again heading for safe havens. Defensives were in favour with Centrica, Scottish & Southern Energy and GlaxoSmithKline rising 1.19pc, 1.16pc and 0.8pc respectively.

With investors steering clear of riskier assets such as banks – Royal Bank of Scotland led the laggards, losing 2.6pc – the benchmark index took a turn for the worse. The FTSE 100 edged down 18 points to 6065 and the FTSE 250 fell 51 points to 11777.36.

However, the prevailing sentiment was indecision, with no direction from the US today where traders have downed tools for a public holiday and no economic data in the UK. Investors are also keeping their powder dry ahead of revised gross domestic product figures later this week. The first reading, published last month, for the final quarter of 2010 showed that the economy shrank by 0.5pc and investors will be looking to see whether the revised figures show any improvement.

There is also still uncertainty over when interest rates will be raised. Minutes of February’s Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee meeting, published on Wednesday, will show how close this month’s vote was on whether rates should be increased.

Philip Shaw, an analyst at Investec, said:

“Last week markets were clearly nervous, closely scrutinising Mervyn King’s words in the press conference that followed the publication of the Quarterly Inflation Report for further clues on the timing of the first interest rate hike. As we turn to the week ahead, markets are likely to remain jittery about the timing of the MPC’s next move, so the minutes of February’s MPC meeting, due during the week, will be important – particularly given they will tell us the balance of the vote.”

Amongst the mid-caps, CSR tumbled 7.4pc after the chip maker agreed to buy America's Zoran in an all-share deal, which will add imaging and video to CSR's wi-fi, bluetooth and GPS location technologies.

Joep van Beurden, CSR chief executive, said the $679m deal would enable CSR to target the growing number of devices that combine imaging and video with wireless and location services.

Analysts at RBS kept their "hold" rating, saying:

"While we see both pros and cons to this smartly structured deal, the big questions for us are: 1) will CSR be able to able to integrate ZRAN into CSR in a similar fashion to the successful SiRF acquisition; 2) will CSR be able to leverage synergies (cost and product) between both companies to such an extent so as to offset the more mature end markets of ZRAN, ie, digital cameras, printer imaging; 3) will further acquisitions be required."

10am: Banks and energy stocks led Britain's top share index lower on Monday as concerns over political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa prompted investors to flee from risk.

The FTSE 100 index was down 26.37 points, or 0.4 percent, at 6,056.62, hovering near its recent 32-month highs.

Traders said the index lacked direction with the US market closed on Monday for the Presidents Day holiday and no important domestic economic data due in the UK.

Energy stocks were lower as crude oil rose 2pc on fears that unrest in Middle East and North Africa could disrupt oil supplies.

"The situation is a tough one near term and does create uncertainty, but can be seen in a positive light as we're potentially going from a series of dictatorships to democracy," Keith Bowman, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said.

BP said it has suspended preparations for exploratory drilling for oil and gas in western Libya due to growing unrest in the north African country.

Miners bounced marginally after Beijing on Friday raised banks' required reserves by 50 basis points, showing no let-up in a campaign to combat inflation.

Precious metal miners Fresnillo and Randgold Resources were up 3.1 and 2.4pc respectively as gold rose to a seven-week high as spreading unrest in the Middle East burnished the metal's appeal as a safe haven.

Invensys rose 5.3pc after the Observer newspaper reported on Sunday the British engineering firm is being eyed as a potential takeover target by several international rivals, citing "city sources".

Banks, which rose 2.3pc last week after solid results in the sector including from Barclays, were the biggest fallers. UK banks have risen 10.3pc since the start of the year.

Royal Bank of Scotland, which reports later this week, was down 1.9pc.

Minutes from the Bank of England's rate setting meeting are due out on Wednesday, with investors looking for clues as to how close the voting was for a rise in interest rates.

6am: Oil prices bounded, with Brent crude rising to more than $103 a barrel amid investor concern that violent protests in Libya could disrupt crude supplies. In currencies, the dollar weakened against the yen but was up against the euro.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average was flat at 10,846.73 as the index pared robust gains made last week.

Blue chip manufacturers like Honda and Toshiba were down, each by about 1pc.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost 0.4pc to 23,508.62. Again, however, oil companies were on the rise. Sinopec, Asia's biggest oil refiner by volume, rose 0.2pc.

State-owned oil company CNOOC Ltd. rose 1.6pc and PetroChina Ltd., China's biggest oil and gas producer, was up 0.4pc.

Benchmarks in Taiwan, Singapore and New Zealand also retreated, while China's benchmark Shanghai Composite index rose 0.1pc.

South Korea's Kospi fell 0.5pc to 2,002.84 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.8pc to 4,895.40.

Sentiment was also hurt by a move on Friday by China to control inflation. Beijing ordered its banks to hold back more money as reserves, raising the required level by 0.5pc of deposits.

Shares of Australian resource companies, which rely heavily on growing Chinese demand, slumped in response.

BHP Billiton Ltd. fell 1.8pc. Rival Rio Tinto Ltd. also lost 1.8pc. Japanese stocks also sensitive to Chinese demand dropped, including Komatsu Ltd., a maker of construction equipment, by 0.6pc, and Hitachi Construction, down 1.3pc.

While keeping an eye on Mideast unrest, analysts said Asian markets had performed well recently and were perhaps due for some profit-taking.

"I think the focus is on the nervousness in the Middle East with the potential disruption to oil supplies. The markets have been pretty volatile in the past few weeks because of this added geopolitical uncertainty, but Asian equities had a pretty good bounce last week, so maybe this is a little correction to that," said David Cohen, economist at Action Economics in Singapore.

Friday's Market Report:

FTSE today: market report - as it happened February 18, 2011

Glittering gold puts a shine on African Barrick

Thursday's Market Report:

Banks bounce back as blue-chips tread water

FTSE today: market report - as it happened February 17, 2011

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FTSE today: report - the market here on February 24, 2011.

However, interest short Ocado comes as facilitates liquidity. At the end of January, the amount of shares outstanding on loan was almost 13pc. now it's just 8 FP6. Ocado fell 16½-205 p.

3.30 pm: stocks of energy assistance blue-chips from edge briefly into positive territory

Energy floating stocks helped the tug blue-chips into positive territory in afternoon trading, although only by a whisker. The FTSE 100 edged 5927 3.8 points. But the FTSE 250 was still in the doldrums, slippery 78 points to 11443.

Provide support were energy stocks as oil prices rise still earlier. Oil approaching $120 a barrel in London, tullow Oil and BP set 3. 9pc and 1. 2pc respectively.

The latter had also benefited from comments about his Indian gas resources. Oil giant says there are 15 billion feet of gas resources in the 23 blocks, which he has purchased in its $7 MD deal with Reliance Industries.

But rising oil prices have had the opposite effect on International Consolidated Airlines, which sank 3 FP6 in the middle of the fears of more and more fuel costs.

However, analysts at Morgan Stanley stressed the need for "objectivity beyond oil".

"Jet fuel prices have increased 30pc for three months, by a combination of macro and political factors," they said. "Investor debate centres on the sector's ability to price for this inflation of costs without negatively affecting profitability in the medium term." We believe it is premature to 'write' industry based on fuel price increases.

Among small-caps Mouchel passed 12pc p 16.75 after services business group said that it was in talks with a potential buyer without a name.

However, Costain - that had been raised as buyer - has been quick to depart. The construction company made a statement, saying: it was not the party in question. Costain on 5-229 p.

Costain said he had approached Mouchel last week with a proposal revised recommended to share offer and money, but said that it was not the company referred to in the statement of the Mouchel.

Mouchel said:

"Even if Mouchel Council considers that the company has a solid future as an independent company, he believes the strategic logic of a combination of Mouchel and the preferred potential offeror to provide the best option to deliver value to shareholders."

11.30: Capita jumps on rise in profits

Although blue-chips were once again into negative territory, outsourcing giant capita bucked the trend, skipping FP7.

While the FTSE 100 dropped 14 points to 5908 and FTSE 250 hangar 86 points to 11435 as rising prices of oil kept the pressure on shares, inhabitant rose to come after the posting of an increase in annual profits of 309 million 20pc of £.

Capita, manages BBC TV licences and provides criminal record for the Home Office said that a strong submission pipeline leave well-positioned for 2011.

But Robin Speakman, analyst at Capital of the Bank, a vendor of capita. He said he had concerns about the rate of organic development, adding:

"We expected the company to be, as always, distributed upward on the prospects and management is expressed once more, a record pipeline of activity - it focuses on financial services & insurance and local government administration.". However, a pipeline must still be negotiated a contract and implemented. »

Panmure Gordon analysts were more optimistic, arguing:

"Overall, we believe that it is a whole very robust numbers continue to believe assessment examines attractive with capita well-placed and thus reiterate our Buy recommendation."

At the other end of the spectrum, Royal bank of scotland hangar 1.73 45.49 despite the Bank-backed state display closer annual losses as allowances for doubtful accounts fell.

Exane BNP Paribas analyst Ian Gordon retained its rating of "neutral" on RBS, saying that it was "" much too early to crack open champagne"."

"We reiterate our view that there is absolutely no reason for investors to be chasing stock beyond our price target of 50% (unchanged), and we see little better value elsewhere", he said.

"Attributable loss of £ 1 billion is technically a miss 60pc against our forecasts and consensus. However, performance is largely "on line", ", he added."

am to 18.30: Nikkei endures longest losing streak since November

The Nikkei 225 Stock average closed at its longest losing streak since November, falling 1. 10,452 2pc.

Toyota has led to low 1. FP7, while Sony electronics, global country exporter fell 1. 5pc as the stronger yen, carve out the value of overseas sales.

Gold, a traditional shelter during tough times transferred about $ 1,410 ounce, step away from being a record around $ 1,430 in December.

Hong Kong stocks were slightly more about noon Thursday, reinforced by commercial stocks of goods with edging of hang seng Index benchmark up 0 07pc at noon.

In China, Composite index in Shanghai also lined 0 3pc to 2,871, as advanced energy producers.

Overnight on Wall Street, The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0 9pc to 12,105.78.

Thursday market report

Explorers oil bubble up as fuel prices surge

Wednesday market report

The price of oil soaring destabilize nervous market

FTSE today: report - the market here on February 23, 2011.

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FTSE today: report - the market here on February 25, 2011.

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The Pentagon announced on Thursday that Boeing had won a fiercely-contested competition to supply 179 air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

"Cobham has been selected by Boeing to provide hose and drug aerial refuelling systems for use on the US Air Force's new KC - 46 A Tanker Aircraft," the company said.

Further down the market, entertainment one was on the rise. The media group behind Peppa Pig perked up 3½ to 147p as it proposed to issue up to 8 m new shares at a price of no less than 145p.

Entertainment One said it was actively considering a range of small deals that would boost earnings.

3. 25 pm: Blue-chips break back through 6,000

The blue-chips broke through the 6,000 barrier back as traders caught up following this morning's –Canada and Wall Street opened higher.

The FTSE 100 jumped 82 points to 6002 while the FTSE 250 put on 180 points to 11590.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 69 points to 12136. as Wall Street shrugged off a government report that the US economy grew more slowly than first thought in the fourth quarter. Market watchers pointed to the fact that the fine detail of the figures showed there were foundations for sustainable growth.

Back on this side of the Atlantic, there were only three losing stocks as the benchmark index surged back into positive territory.

Amongst the second-liners, Spectris 12pc spiked on news that the electrical engineer's annual profits doubled to £ 119. 9 m.

Spectris also said that it would look at acquisitions this year.

Talk of an acquisition was also helping Mouchel as its takeover saga took another turn.

After Mouchel said on Thursday that it was in "advanced discussions with one potential offeror", Interserve today revealed that it was the business services' group's suitor.

The support services and construction company confirmed that it had made an approach to Mouchel with an indicative proposal. Interserve shed 3.5 to 246 75 while Mouchel put on 1.75 to 154 25 p.

Writing on the development, analysts at Espirito Santo said:

"While Interserve is a very different business to Mouchel, its lower value services would complement Mouchel's highways business, allowing them to enter this market as a near leader." While there is some overlap in Government Services limited, Mouchel would essentially push Interserve up the value chain better positioning them to win bundled local authority outsourcing activity. "Finally, Mouchel's troubled Middle East business could prove to be an asset for Interserve given its existing presence and scale across the region."

12.35: Trading resumes after earlier technical issues

After a lie-in Loescher, the market has finally woken up. The London Stock Exchange was forced to halt trading less than ten minutes after the market opened thanks to a technical glitch, but trading began again at 12.15.

The unexpected half-day's holiday clearly did the benchmark index good though, with the FTSE 100 shaking off this week's jitters to advance 54 points to 5974. The FTSE 250 put on 105.4 points to 11514.

eurasian Natural Resources Corporation ticked up 3 FP7 to take the top spot, while Lloyds banking Group fell 4pc to take the wooden spoon.

On the second tier, the London Stock Exchange fell 7.5 to 5 885 p.

8.50: LSE forced to halt trading less than ten minutes after the open

The London Stock Exchange was forced to halt trading less than ten minutes after the market opened on Friday morning, citing technical issues.

The FTSE 100 index of leading shares had opened 0 28pc higher, to 5,936.

However, the halt in trade was not enough to stop Lloyds slipping almost 5pc to 5 62 p, as its £ 2bn 2 pre-tax profit met expectations but the group's margin outlook failed to impress.

Shares in british sky broadcasting rose 1. 46pc to 768p after a report in the Financial Times suggested Rupert Murdoch's News Corp was close to a deal with regulators over its bid for the company.

Elsewhere, European markets followed Asia's lead, as oil prices settled after rising to almost $120 a barrel on Thursday.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 added 0 13pc to 7,130.50, and in Paris the CAC 40 index rose 0 48pc to 4,029.07.

6 am: Asia boost as oil fears reduced

Asian markets bounced back from a week of losses as worries over Libya's oil supply eased.

Japanese stocks rose for the first time in four days as oil retreated and economic reports tempered concern about turmoil in the Middle East.

The nikkei 225 Stock average rose 0 FP7 to 10,526 at the close in Tokyo, its biggest gain since February 14.

China's stocks fluctuated as banks gained on speculation easing inflation will reduce the need for tightening measures, while oil refiners and airlines fell on concern higher crude prices will curb earnings growth.

The shanghai Composite Index edged down in afternoon trade to 2,877.

The Hang Seng Index increased 1.53 percent to 22,946, the biggest advance among benchmarks in Asia.

The gain halted has more than 4 2pc decline in the last four days, and pared its decline for this week to 2 FP7.

Overnight on Wall Street, the dow jones Industrial average fell 0 3pc to 12,068.

Friday's Market Report

Half-day holiday puts a spring in Futsee's step

Thursday's Market Report

Oil explorers bubble up as fuel prices surge

Wednesday's Market Report

Surging oil prices unsettle nervous market

FTSE today: market report - as it happened February 23, 2011

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3 pm: Carnival and easyJet fall on fuel price concerns

With the price of oil still above checking blue-chips fall more into negative territory. Oil approached $ 100 a barrel in New York as Libya threatened uprising exports of crude oil and unstable already nervous investors.

Stocks with exposure to oil prices withdraw with cruise operator Carnival 3 9pc fall and airline easyJet excretion 2 8pc. FTSE 100 dropped 65 points to 5931, whereas FTSE 250 defeat 11541 110 points.

These falls were mirrored on Wall Street where the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 12179 33 points.

Back on this side of the Atlantic, real estate companies were better than the broader market. MidCap Capital & counties said it reflects a joint venture to its redevelopment of several billion proposed pounds of Earls Court in London, and has received interest from a number of parties.

The company also said it was good progressin application process of planning for the project of Earls Court.

Who sent a Capco up 2pc while large-cap british land advanced 0 FP7.

noon: Rexam fails to take the flight depending on the results of the year

Nervous investors stick on the sidelines, it falls into the hands of defensive stocks in an attempt to maintain the reference index. Scottish & Southern Energy and Centrica advanced respectively 1. 2pc and 0. 5pc.

However, the FTSE 100 dropped 32 points to 5964 and FTSE 250 hangar 45 points to 11607 as colonel Muammar Gaddafi has promised to combat a growing rebellion in Libya.

Minutes of the meeting of February the Bank of England monetary policy Committee has as little to reassure the market showing the Chief Economist of the Bank Spencer Dale had joined Martin Weale and Andrew Sentance appellant to an increase in interest rates.

Joshua Raymond, strategist, market to the Index of the city, said:

"One aspect which can cause alarm is the divide of opinion within the PPC." On the one hand you have Adam Posen, calling for a further 50 billion increase from £ QE, while on the other hand, you have Dale and Weale, calling for a hike 25bp and Sentence, calling for a 50bp. Right in the middle of it, you have the rest of the members of the Committee sitting on their hands. There is apparently a split growing to camp, and it does not give great confidence to the market participants that the BoE is United to knowing what to do. »

Taking greater on large-cap index fell Rexam, slipped 3 5pc. Manufacturer of beverage cans for Carlsberg and Red Bull has posted an increase in the profits of the year, but market was disappointed by the lack of details on Rexam plans to dispose of his business of closures.

Analysts from Seymour Pierce retained their ratings on of Rexam "buy", but he said:

"Although the Declaration confirmed branch closures for sale, it may be some disappointment that no further progress has been made since the news was released in December 2010."

Between mid-caps, Cable & Wireless Communications grew 9pc after saying that it would sell its operating activities in Bermuda for Bragg group at Canada for $70 m, as he Redesigns its Caribbean operations to combat a weakness of the economy and strong competition.

am 8.40: Blue-chips return waybill

The FTSE 100 index benchmark slipped 0 45pc at 5969.83 in the opening up of markets.

Barclays has riser grand in the 'f?tsi?, increase of nearly $ 1. 5pc 326.55 p after US federal judge held 2008 transaction the British Bank to buy a large portion of the Lehman Brothers U.S. operations was fair treatment.

Other banking stocks also received a lifting device. HSBC reaches 0 93pc 705.5 p, then RBS increased 0 71pc to 48.04%.

Paris CAC 40 lost 0 4,044.53 14pc and DAX 30 Frankfurt decreased by 0 32pc at 7,295.12.

6 h: China bucks Asian trend

Asian markets fell as violence has intensified in Libya and the price of crude oil increased, raising concerns that may slow the global economic recovery.

At Japan, the Nikkei 225 Stock average closed 0 8pc 10,579 at its lowest level since February 4.

Toyota, more big car manufacturer in the world, fell 1. 2pc, while Mitsubishi, Japan most traded Bank decreased by 1. 1pc.

Hong Kong stocks fluctuated airlines decreased after the political unrest in the Middle East has spurred prices for oil and as property developers acquired.

Hang Seng index slid from 0 43pc to 22,891, as cathay pacific airways sank 2 2pc on speculation fuel costs will increase.

Went to during this time, China backwash general trend markets, investors seeking producers of gold as a hedge against rising inflation.

The Composite index of Shanghai, which ensures greater China Awards, 2.8 points added or 0 1pc with 2,858.32.

Overnight on Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average closed 1. 44pc at 12,212.79.

Wednesday market report

The price of oil soaring destabilize nervous market

Tuesday market report

Fears of Defence established spending squeeze on BAE

FTSE today: report - the market here on February 22, 2011.

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FTSE today: report - the market here on February 22, 2011.

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But Croda International took the top spot, advancing 145p to £16.39 after the chemical company said it expected a growing demand for cosmetics and its presence in emerging markets like Latin America and China to drive its future growth.

3pm: Wall Street weakens, but London's large-caps pare losses

As the afternoon wore on, the benchmark index began to recover its equilibrium. Having tumbled around 70 points earlier amid concerns over unrest in the Middle East, the FTSE 100 is now down just 16 points to 6000. The FTSE 250 is off 82 points to 11645.

Having been closed for President's Day on Monday, Wall Street today had an opportunity to catch up on events in Libya. The Dow Jones Industrial Average duly slid 67 points to 12323.

Airline stocks, United Continental and AMR, retreated at least 5.8pc amid investors’ concern that high oil prices may hurt earnings.

That was mirrored in London where International Consolidated Airlines Group - the newly-merged British Airways and Iberia, fell 4.5 to 235p.

While travel companies were on the decline, miners helped buoy the blue-chips, with BHP Billiton and African Barrick Gold putting on 2pc and 1.6pc respectively.

High street retailer Next was also on the ascendant. It advanced 25p to £20.07 as analysts at UBS upped their rating to "buy" from "neutral".

Although the broker cut is pre-tax profit forecast for Next - and other retailers - in light of rising cotton prices, it said this was almost exactly offset by the assumption that Next will buyback another £200m shares in 2011-12.

But on the general retail sector as a whole, UBS retained its "underweight" view, saying:

"We think it is too early to become more positive on the European retail sector given a cautious outlook for consumer demand, gross margin pressure from rising input costs for most retailers, subdued but increasing operating costs and potential for interest rates to increase. In this note we downgrade the UK clothing retailer gross margin by a further 50bp to reflect increased sourcing pressures."

12.20: BAE Systems slips on defence contract concerns

Defence giant, BAE Systems, suffered the sharpest fall as the benchmark index slid into the red amid unrest in Libya.

BAE shed as much as 5pc as investors worried that more British defence contracts could be cancelled to meet the government's goal of slashing military spending.

Liam Fox, the defence secretary, will set out plans later today on how to tackle "endemic problems", raising fears that there could be further cuts to come.

In a report published today, the Public Accounts Committee repeated its concerns about cost overruns and said defence cuts “will require further decisions and the renegotiation or cancellation of a significant number of existing contracts.”

Smiths Group, which is also exposed to the defence sector. It fell 16p to £13.47.

But analysts at RBS remained bullish on BAE, saying:

"It has been clear for some time that the UK Strategic Defence Review was just the start of what may be the lengthy process of rebalancing the UK defence budget."

BAE's fall was mirrored by the wider market, with the FTSE 100 shedding 56 points to 5957 and the FTSE 250 losing 111.7 points to 11616.

9am: The FTSE 100 fell 74.59 points, or 1.2pc, to 5940.21, dropping below 6,000 for the first time in more than two weeks.

The biggest fallers included mining stocks and defence company BAE Systems, which has a large business in Saudi Arabia.

The traditional safe haven stocks of tobacco, drinks and utilities did well, with Imperial Tobacco, Scottish & Southern and Diageo remaining flat while every other share on the index declined.

BAE lost 3.1pc to 330.8p, while copper miner Antofagasta slipped 2.5pc to £13.56.

International Consolidated Airlines, British Airways' new stock market name, fell 2.3pc to 233.9p.

6am: An earthquake in New Zealand and a downgrade of Japan's credit rating outlook also weighed on market sentiment.

Oil prices, meanwhile, soared, wioth Brent crude rising to more than $108 a barrel as Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi struggled to keep his grip on power in the OPEC nation, amid violent protests.

In currencies, the dollar was higher against the yen, the euro and the New Zealand dollar.

The Nikkei 225 stock average shed 1.7pc to 10,670.46, Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 1.9pc to 23,027.57 and South Korea's Kospi was down 1.8pc at 1,969.40.

Stock markets in Australia, Taiwan, Singapore and mainland China also retreated.

New Zealand's benchmark lost 0.9pc to 3,351.1 after a powerful earthquake hit the city of Christchurch, the country's second-largest, causing widespread damage an unknown number of casualties.

Markets were also shaken by the unrest in Libya and the potential for the instability to spread to other member nations of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, especially Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

"The risk is more of a contagion possibility to other countries in the region," said Ben Westmore, minerals and energy economist with National Australia Bank in Melbourne. "Saudi Arabia mostly because of its size. The size of its oil output is the biggest concern."

The political unrest in Libya affected sectors vulnerable to higher oil prices, such as airlines, which were hit by intense selling.

Korean Air Lines Co. plunged 9.3pc and rival Asiana Airlines dived 9.4pc. In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways was down 4.7pc. China Eastern Airlines Corp. dropped 5pc and China Southern Airlines Co. slid 6.7pc.

Meanwhile, Japan's ability to tackle its massive debt came under scrutiny again after Moody's Investors Service cut its outlook for the country's credit rating.

The rating agency on Tuesday changed its outlook for Japan's Aa2 rating from stable to negative.

Moody's cited "increasing uncertainty" over Japan's ability to implement effective measures to rein in rising debt in its decision, which comes less than a month after Standard & Poor's cut Japan's sovereign debt rating.

The rating was not wholly unexpected, analysts said, and probably had little to do with the Nikkei's dour performance, which contrasted with the previous day's close at a 10-month high. That, on top of other worrying news, saw investors moving cautiously.

"Heading for the hills seems to be the best option at the moment," said Song Seng Wun, an economist at CIMB-GK in Singapore. "The bottom line - has anything changed to affect consumer and business confidence today? It's a bit shaken, but we're still going about normal, daily business."

US markets were closed Monday for a national holiday.

In currency markets, the dollar stood at 83.40, up from 83.10 yen in New York late Monday. The euro was down at $1.3580 from $1.3645.

Tuesday's Market Report

Defence spending fears put squeeze on BAE

Monday's Market Report:

FTSE today: market report - as it happened February 21, 2011

Investors lose taste for Ocado as FTSE falls

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FTSE today: report on the market as it happened, may 25, 2011.

3.30pm: Wall Street weakens

Wall Street weakened this afternoon, while London's large-caps also struggled to make any headway. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 21 points to 12335 after data pointed to a slowdown in US growth. Earnings at companies such as Costco Wholesale also disappointed.

The FTSE 100 was virtually flat, easing 2 points to 5855 while the FTSE 250 slid 38 points to 11810.

1.10pm: FTSE flat on GDP figures

The benchmark index just about held steady as traders breathed a sigh of relief that there was no deterioration in UK gross domestic product. The FTSE 100 was off just 3 points to 5855 although the FTSE 250 shed 32 points to 11826.

Amongst the mid-caps, Cable & Wireless Communications took a tumble, sliding 4.82 to 43.18p, as the telecoms group pointed to challenging trading in the Caribbean.

"We have had to navigate some choppy waters in the Caribbean," chief executive Tony Rice in a call with reporters on Wednesday.

"We made no secret of the difficult economic and trading conditions we faced last year, which we continue to face and which we expect will continue next year."

The group, which traces its history back to British cable companies founded in the 1860s, said its other regions - Panama, Macau, and Monaco & Islands - performed better, with particular demand from Macau for mobile data connections.

At the other end of the spectrum, London Stock Exchange continued to be buoyed by the M&A rumour mill, rising 19 to 927p.

Gossips suggested that the bourse - which is trying to seal a tie-up with Canadian group, TMX - might be targeted by Nasdaq, or that the Hong Kong or Singapore exchanges could also be keen. But any buyer would have to contend with LSE's two biggest shareholders, Qatar and the Dubai exchange.

10.20am: FTSE pares its early losses

Having slipped back at the open, the FTSE 100 pared its losses to trade almost flat at 5858. The FTSE 250 shed 34 points to 11824.

After yesterday's commodity-driven rally, persistent concerns about the strength of the global economy and Greece's debt crisis once again cast a pall over investor sentiment.

Simon Denham, head of Capital Spreads, said:

Not wanting to sound like a broken record, but the selling pressure is being put down to worries over Greece. Many people are asking how such a small country can cause so much concern for global financial markets and the simple answer is that a default by Greece on repaying its debt could have shock waves through the banking sector and lead to another banking crisis and ultimately defaults by other countries. This is a snowball effect that everyone is desperate to avoid so soon after the last banking crisis only couple of years ago.

Also weighing on the index were a number of stocks going ex-dividend, with Next, International Power and Amec all trading without rights to their latest shareholder payout.

Meanwhile, Glencore International slipped back almost 1pc on its first day on the FTSE 100.

Shares in the commodities trading giant fell as much as 3pc on their Hong Kong debut on Wednesday, with Asian investors spooked by concerns over valuations and the outlook for commodities.

9.15am: European stocks dip

Frankfurt's DAX 30 dipped 1.0pc to 7,079.25, and in Paris the CAC 40 shed 0.69pc to 3,889.72.

6am: Falling Japanese exports weigh on Asian markets

Sagging exports from earthquake-hobbled Japan and Europe's deepening debt crisis sent Asian share markets lower on Wednesday.

Tey Tze Ming, a trader at Saxo Capital Markets in Singapore, said investors see trouble on the horizon and have decided to shy away from riskier assets.

"Our forecast for stocks over the next three or four months is that they are probably going to be going sideways, or down," he said.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 lost 0.4pc to 9,442.89 after the government released figures showing the country's export sector capsized in April after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami destroyed hundreds of factories, caused massive production disruptions, and forced manufacturers like Toyota to suspend production.

Sony shares tumbled 2.4pc after the electronics and entertainment giant announced it had suffered another online security breach, this time for 2,000 customers in Canada. More than 100m online accounts have been affected in a suspected hacking of Sony's PlayStation Network gaming service and other online services that began last month.

Sentiment in Asia was dampened after Japan said exports fell 12.5pc in April from a year earlier - a dismal number that underscores how badly Japan was disabled by the March disasters centered on its industrial northeast.

Elsewhere, Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 0.6pc to 22,604.76, while the benchmark in China also slumped.

Markets faced troubling news about Europe on Tuesday, when Greece's main opposition party said it opposed the government's latest attempts to reduce debt. The news further dimmed hopes that the country might be able to repair its finances enough to get another loan package from the International Monetary Fund.

Fears that a Greek default could start a chain reaction affecting larger countries like Spain - the fourth-largest economy in Europe - pushed Wall Street lower. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.2pc to close at 12,356.21. The Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped 0.1pc to 1,316.28. The Nasdaq composite fell 0.5pc to 2,746.16.

Tuesday's market report

Commodities rally as Goldman goes long

FTSE today: market report as it happened: May 24, 2011

Monday's market report

Shire in $2bn bid for Cubist Pharmaceuticals

FTSE today: market report as it happened: May 23, 2011

Friday's market report

FTSE today: market report as it happened: Friday May 20

Thursday's market report

AstraZeneca rumoured to be eyeing up US target

FTSE today: market report - as it happened May 19, 2011

Wednesday's market report

Shire stages turnaround on latest deal

FTSE today: market report as it happened, May 18 2011

Tuesday's market report

Ailing drug stocks drag down blue-chips

FTSE today: market report as it happened, May 17 2011

Monday's market report

Dealers drain pubs while Footsie stumbles

FTSE today: market report as it happened, May 16 2011

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FTSE today: report - the market here on February 2, 2011.

Analysts at Killik kept their purchase rating on Imperial, saying that focusing business organic growth--instead of a degree of historical dependence on acquisitions and economies - began to gain some traction.

"There are also a few comments that Imperial can be subject to a bid of one of the other majors of tobacco."

"Although we believe such an event is unlikely, given the level of debt and potential obstacles to competition, these speculations are likely to provide additional support for actions, said the broker.

3.30 pm: 'f?tsi? flirts with 6,000

Inflation continued to flirt with the 6,000 mark even if Wall Street opened in undecided mood. The FTSE 100 has acquired approximately 42 points to territory 60001, then that the Dow Jones Industrial Average put on by 8 points to 12048. Dealers Americans continued to be concerned about the events in Egypt and the threat of instability in the region.

Agitation in positive eclipsed Egypt data released on Wednesday showed private U.S. companies added counted jobs in January from the year with gains across major industries. Meanwhile airline stocks declined as companies struggled against the latest round of bad weather in the U.S., which saw thousands of cancelled flights.

Return from this side of the Atlantic, travel and industrial stocks were under pressure. International consolidated airlines Group declined 10.5 to 249.7 p and car parts manufacturer and airplane, GKN, slipped 8.7 195.1 p.

Educational second-liners, set - top box maker, pace leads the charge. He gained 14.6 percent 208.1 reporting that society had won a contract with Indian pay-TV provider key.

11 h: fuels sales game GSK share hopes of redemption

GlaxoSmithKline has fallen back 6.5 to 11 h 40 £, then same as analysts raised the prospect of a repurchase of shares at drug giant.

This morning drug manufacturer sold the rest of its stake in Quest Diagnostics, netting $ 1. 7bn.

Having acquired the source of his involvement in the quest for payment of the portion of the sale of his business of clinical laboratories in 1999, GlaxoSmithKline sells his game since 1999.

Selling the rest of its participation was raised exepctations that GlaxoSmithKline may announce a plan of redemption fee share Thursday, when it announced the results of the year.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley said:

"Whereas consensus for a redemption expectations declined the latter £ 2.2 bn following GSK support, our belief has again increased that the CEO will restart GSK continued share buyback program Announces timely sale of part of 18 per cent of GSK quest game." Our model published assumed that GSK would buy back £ billion in 2011 and continue in subsequent years. In our opinion, the probable a short-term goal modest redemption would improve investors on potential balance concerns rather than its modest impact financial net EPS future rules. »

The largest market was still optimistic mood, with the FTSE 100 involving 56 points at 6014 and FTSE 250 acquired 44 points to 11652.

Sean Power, analyst actions to the Index of the city, said:

"Disorder in Egypt have relaxed shopping sessions yesterday wind sails index UK and somewhat, giving investors much renewed confidence as well as an increase in appetite for risk in this morning."

8: 30 am: Imperial Tobacco leads the as 'f?tsi? a breakthrough 6,000

The FTSE 100 index leading shares open 0 45pc 5984.87, drill the brand from 6 000 to 6003 by 8.15 am.

The track was Imperial tobacco, which has reported an increase in sales during the last three months of the year Kit 110U, led by emerging markets. Shares rose 3 85pc 1863 p on the opening of markets.

AstraZeneca is the largest 'f?tsi? faller, down 3 2pc at 2,933.5 because it ex-dividende.

Elsewhere in Europe, the feeling was also optimistic. In Paris, the CAC 40 rose 0 29pc to 4,084.75, then Frankfurt DAX 30 increased 0 26pc at 7,202.62.

6 am - Asian stocks regain

Japanese stocks rose sharply in volume heavy Wednesday after on world markets rallying on strong manufacturing data solids we gain and relaxation in the Middle East concerns.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed 1. 8pc at 10,457.36.

Hong Kong Hang Seng index reaches 1. 81pc 23,908.96, closer to the gains for the year of the Tiger year pc approximately 18 years. The local market will reopen Monday after a long weekend for lunar new year.

Markets in mainland China kicked foot at the outset of the holiday season and will re-open on February 9.

Strong results from Pfizer pharmaceutical as well as UPS, the largest company for delivery of packages in the world, saw the dow jones Industrial average almost. 3pc over 12040.16, the first time, he has closed over 12,000 since June 2008 level.

Report of the market on Wednesday:

Market steps up to the plu M & A Middle

FTSE today: report - hereFebruary 1, 2011

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The report of the week: economic data UK, society results - December 13-17 December

The chain has already said that UK like-for-like sales fell by 5 8pc.

Observers will be interested to hear if there are signs of a recovery of the economy of consumption.

Regardless of market conditions, Plasmon is well placed for when things finally pick up, analysts.

Verdict Research considers the Plasmon market share increased by two percentage points from last year's autour and continues to grow in the United Kingdom.

This is largely due to declining to compete with carpets last year.

This means Plasmon will appreciate a reminder again already when things are improving.

Throughout the year results

No announcement

Interim results

Polar capital Technology Trust

Bargaining update

No announcement

Economy

The Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin

Meetings

Trust of personal belongings (EGM), Schroder (AGM) income growth fund

Þ Travis Perkins, merchant builders and DIY, retailer will update the recent commercial market. The company recently said that on the first nine months of 2010 the total turnover in its "international trading" division has increased 7 8pc with like-for-like sales by business day 7 1pc. Wickes group chain has struggled, however.

Þ Imagination Technologies, the designer graphics chipsets for artists such as Apple, will unveil its interim results. Numis, analysts said Friday that they expected income up 24pc £ 47. 4 m, compared to the same period last year.

Said broker was attracted by the imagination of positioning and prospects technology but with 76pc stock last year, has added much value has been price.

Throughout the year results

Domino Printing Sciences, Electronics, Interbulk, Renovo Datong

Interim results

Plasmon, Imagination Technologies, Scott Wilson

Bargaining update

Approved DRAX, Travis Perkins, Whitbread

Economy

Digit inflation, RICS house price survey

Meetings

Agriterra (AGM), SMR tenon (AGM), Tottenham Hotspur (AGM)

Þ supergroup, owner of the label Superdry trendy, will report its interim results. Last month, chain, whose actions have propelled as it floated in March, said that the rate of total sales increased almost 70pc during the three months to the end of October. A large portion of those sales came from new store openings.

Throughout the year results

No announcement

Interim results

SuperGroup

Bargaining update

Senior, WSP

Economy

Of unemployment, CBI distributive trades survey

Meetings

Artilium (AGM), BowLeven (AGM)

Þ Sports Direct, the retailer owned by Mike Ashley, sweats, contractor will report its interim results. In October the retailer said that total sales for 9 to September 26 weeks are up to by 5 4pc 295 m £ while the gross profit rose by 5 4pc 117 million to £. At that time, the company said that its interim results "significantly above" are the corresponding period last year.

Þ John Wood Group, Aberdeen oil and gas services company base will update on 2010 trade this week. The consensus forecast of analysts is a fall 35pc revenues £ 3 16bn this year and a decline in profits before taxes of 265 million of £ 183 m £.

Falls are due to the oil and gas companies retains on projects in the last 18 months. However, in October, the company said seeing an improvement in performance with a growth in the Gulf of Mexico, Africa and Australia.

Throughout the year results

Pupa

Interim results

Cohort, sports direct international

Bargaining update

John Wood

Economy

Figures for retail, the Bank of England/GfK NOP inflation attitudes survey

Meetings

AXA property trust (AGM), British goods (AGM), British Empire Securities & General Trust (AGM)

Þ Aggreko temporary power provider for events such as the World Cup and

Competition Eurovision Song, was forecast profit sparky for year-round commercial update in October. He had a 30pc to increase sales of third quarter and stated that the final results must beat the previous forecasts. This year, the share price increased by almost new 90pc relentlessly optimistic. It raised its dividend of first half by 50pc was planning to increase the payment of the year by the same amount.

Analysts said Friday Panmure: "we are fans of Aggreko, but current levels believe much good news is already in the price and we remember that there are still areas of weakness in among the permanent force of the order book and a number of one-positive spin-offs in the current year." A heady rating remains a premium on the market, a reflection component may not be a bad thing. »

Throughout the year results

Invista European real estate

Interim results

No announcement

Bargaining update

Aggreko, National Express, Petrofac, punch taverns

Economy

Report of the Bank of England financial stability.

Meetings

Brit Insurance (EGM), punch taverns (AGM), Sportingbet (AGM)

Stuck at an annual rate of 3 2pc November inflation, the latest figures are supposed to show. Consumer price index (CPI), the official measure edged at this level, October, September 3 1pc low.

The Bank of England expected inflation to rise again away from its target hit 2pc 3 5pc rate in the first half of next year, but think capacity reserve in the economy will curb price rises in the long term.

Retail sales figures reveals how high street if in November, with Howard Archer, an economist at IHS insight, forecast sales rose "reasonable but spectacular" 0 4pc-on-month.

He warned that recent snow may mean that people buy less Gifts Christmas because of time constraints. "It is absolutely essential for retailers that the next two weekends see weather conditions do not prevent or discourage consumers is in.

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