FTSE

Shares in Halfords were up on the FTSE 250 ahead of a trading statement from the cycling retailer, due out tomorrow.

Shares in easyJet took off on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the budget airline reported a rise in passengers and higher profit expectations despite strikes and Icelandic volcanoes.

Shares in British banks were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading on hopes that governments around the world may move to stimulate their economies further.

Shares in Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after Rio Tinto denied reports that a planned joint venture between the two is on the brink of collapse.

Shares in British Airways were up on the FTSE 100 after the group reported a rise in passenger numbers in September.

Shares in British banks were mixed on the FTSE 100 in morning trading echoing yesterday's performance which saw part-nationalised banks Lloyds Banking Group and RBS decline in the first few hours of the day.

Shares in Tesco were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the supermarket giant reported double digit profit growth in the half year ended 28 August.

Shares in Tesco were up on the FTSE 100 ahead of the supermarket giant's interim results, due tomorrow.

Shares in British banks were mixed on the FTSE 100 in morning trading following a report that further bank bailouts may be needed.

Shares in Premier Foods were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the group confirmed that it had received bids for the takeover of its meat free business, including Quorn.

Shares in BP were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the oil giant said it had pledged some of its Gulf of Mexico assets as collateral for the $20 billion Deepwaater Horizon Oil Spill Trust, which pays out compensation claims to those affected by this year's disaster at the oil well.

Shares in British banks were up on the FTSE 100 in morning trading as EU finance ministers meet to discuss the subject of taxation for banks.

Tate & Lyle shares fell on the FTSE 250 today after the company issued a trading statement ahead of its results for the half year ended 30 September, due out at the beginning of November.

Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after news from Ireland and Spain appeared to discourage investors.

Shares in Compass Group were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the company issued a trading statement ahead of its full year results, due out on 24 November.

Shares in BP were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the group's CEO-in-waiting announced the establishment of a new safety division which will have "sweeping powers" in overseeing and auditing BP operations worldwide.

Shares in First Group were up on the FTSE 250 after the transport group said that its trading for the six months ended 30 September was "in line" with expectations and that it was "on track to deliver moderate earnings growth for the full year".

Shares in British banks were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading despite assurances that banks would not be hit by a capital surcharge.

Shares in Smiths Group were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the technology company reported a rise in pre-tax profit in the full year ended 31 July.

Shares in Smiths Group were down on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading ahead of the technology company's full year results, expected tomorrow.

Shares in JJB Sports were down on the FTSE All Share in afternoon trading after the sports retailer reported another loss for the half year ended 1 August 2010.

Shares in Daily Mail and General Trust were down on the FTSE 250 after the publishing company said that its underlying revenue rose two per cent in the 11 months to the end of August.

Shares in Man Group were down on the FTSE 100 after the investment company said it expected profits to decline in the six months to 30 September 2010.

Shares in British banks were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the Office for National Statistics said that GDP growth in the second quarter was unchanged by its final estimate.

Shares in Game Group plunged on the FTSE All Share in morning trading after the company swung into losses in its results for the half year ended 31 July.

Shares in Unilever were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading following the group's announcement that it would be acquiring Alberto Culver Company for $3.7 billion.

Within minutes of Ed Miliband being elected as Labour leader, commentators, notably those on the right, were quick to paint him as the candidate of the trade unions due to his clinching his victory with union votes, despite trailing his brother when it came to support from Labour MPs and members.

Shares in British banks were broadly down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading, with the exception of Lloyds Banking Group.

Shares in Wolseley were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the building materials company reported a significant loss in the full year ended 31 July 2010.

Shares in Wolseley were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading as the building merchant prepares to release its full year results on Monday.