Footsie has managed to stay in the blue after its recovery following a fall in early dealings. RBS is leading the way now, helped by some positive comments from the broker Merrill Lynch, which says the bank 'has the time and capacity to deliver change.' Tesco is not far behind after reporting a 2% rise in like-for-like sales, while British Airways, which took off after announcing it is in merger talks with Australian airline Quantus, is in third place. FTSE 100 up 36 at 4,102.
14:10 British Airways has soared into the lead after confirming it is in merger talks with Australian airline Quantus. Tesco is still going well after its 2% rise in like-for-like sales beat expectations. FTSE 100 up 26 at 4,092.
12:45 Despite falling metals prices, mining stocks are among the companies helping to keep Footsie in the blue. India-focused Vedanta advances after saying it will spend $250m to buy back up to 10% of its shares. Mexican silver miner Fresnillo, which has made an offer to buy the remaining shares of MAG Silver, the silver miner in which it has a 20% stake, is also among the top 10 risers. However, lower metals prices have Xstrata and Rio Tinto among the FTSE 100's worst-performing companies. FTSE 100 up 45 at 4,111.
11:40 Footsie is firmly in the blue now, despite falling heavily in early dealings. Tesco is one of best performers after a slightly better-than-expected 2% rise in third quarter UK like-for-like sales. FTSE 100 up 35 at 4,100.
11:00 Footsie is flat now on a mixed day for resource stocks. Oil services group Petrofac is leading the way, while India-focused copper miner Vedanta advances after saying it will spend $250m to buy back up to 10% of its shares. However, mining giants Rio Tinto and Xstrata are lower in line with falling metals prices. FTSE 100 down 3 at 4,062.
10:25 Footsie has continued edging back towards positive territory and now sits only slightly in the red. Oil services group Petrofac has overtaken Tesco as the top riser. The supermarket is going well after a slightly better-than-expected 2% rise in third quarter UK like-for-like sales. FTSE 100 down 21 at 4,043.
09:30 Footsie's losses have narrowed, with Tesco helping lift the index higher after a slightly better-than-expected 2% rise in third quarter UK like-for-like sales. Miner Vedanta is going well after announcing it will spend $250m to buy back up to 10% of its shares, but the sector is mixed, with Rio Tinto the heaviest faller. FTSE 100 down 41 at 4,023.
08:30 Reports of Tesco's demise seem to have been exaggerated to judge from the reaction to its latest sales figures. Shares in the retail giant are up 7% after a slightly better-than-expected 2% rise in third quarter UK like-for-like sales. Standard Chartered and Royal Bank of Scotland are also doing well, but miners and oil stocks are dragging Footsie lower. Xstrata and Rio Tinto are sharply down. FTSE 100 down 82 at 3,983.
