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The FTSE 100, weighed down by weakening miners, pared back gains made during
yesterday’s bid-inspired rally.

THE FTSE 100 spent much of the morning being upstaged by the mid-caps, who
were riding high following a flurry of bid speculation, but the benchmark
index fought back to close at a 21-month high, up 38.27 to 5640.57.

The FTSE 100 fluctuated in morning trading on Wednesday as the mid-caps took
centre-stage following a flurry of bid speculation.

A year ago the FTSE 100 fell to a six-year low in the shadow of the financial
crisis, but the blistering rally since failed to give the blue-chip index
direction on Tuesday.

Markets around the world rallied on Friday after better-than-expected
employment data in the US and Greece’s new austerity plan soothed investors’
fears.

Markets around the world rallied on Friday after better-than-expected
employment data in the US and Greece’s new austerity plan soothed investors’
fears.

An unsurprising hold on interest rates left investors distinctly underwhelmed
on Thursday and with a slew of company results to occupy their minds, the
FTSE 100 traded within a narrow range, finally ending the day down 6.05
points at 5527.16, breaking the large-caps’ four-day rising streak.

Vodafone was in demand as the blue-chip index closed within a whisker of a
fresh 18-month high.

Finance chiefs issue stark warning on risk to job creation, as Government
takes 57pc of gross profits.

Prudential was under severe pressure for a second day in a row despite the
positive sentiment that drove the blue-chip index towards the 5500 mark.