Financial News

LONDON (ShareCast) - 1410: Thomas Cook is still leading the risers in a broadly flat FTSE 100. The travel agent operator sat in the red earlier after the collapse of German retailer Arcandor (Xetra: 627500 - news) which owned 52% of the firm, but then jumped on news that German tour operator Rewe said it would consider taking Arcandor's 52% stake in Thomas Cook should it be put up for sale. FTSE 100 up 4 at 4,409.

1240: Footsie (news) is slightly lower now on a relatively quiet day on the company news front. The main story of the day is Thomas Cook, which is leading the risers having earlier been firmly in the red. German tour operator Rewe said it would consider taking Arcandor's 52% stake in Thomas Cook should it be put up for sale. Among the fallers is defence stock Cobham (LSE: COB.L - news) , which climbed yesterday after being upgraded by the broker Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - news) . FTSE 100 down 7 at 4,397.

1100: Footsie has given up some of the gains it posted this morning. Lloyds is still the best performer on reports it is taking the axe to the Cheltenham & Gloucester branch network. Among the fallers is defence stock Cobham, which climbed yesterday after being upgraded by the broker Goldman Sachs. FTSE 100 up 11 at 4,416.

0920: Miners and banks remain to the fore as Footsie stays in positive territory. Oil stocks are also wanted as the price of crude moves higher. FTSE 100 is up 20 at 4,426.

0835: Footsie has made a bright start after yesterday's strong, late recovery on Wall Street. Lloyds is the best performer on reports it is taking the axe to the Cheltenham & Gloucester branch network. Miners have also bounced up again. HSBC (LSE: HSBA.L - news) and Pearson (LSE: PSON.L - news) are weak spots. FTSE 100 up 29 at 4,435.