Financial News

LONDON (ShareCast) - 1150: Footsie (news) is still broadly flat, with software group Sage Group (LSE: SGE.L - news) leading the risers after saying it is trading in line with expectations, but miner miner Xstrata (LSE: XTA.L - news) dragging the index lower after announcing a slump in Ferrochrome production. FTSE 100 down 8 at 4,578.

1050: Whether Footsie can maintain its winning streak is in the balance now with the leading share index now sitting in the red. Miner Xstrata, which said ferrochrome production was 60% lower in the first half of 2009 compared with the same period last year, is the heaviest faller. Software (Frankfurt: A0XFVC - news) group Sage leads the risers after saying results for the year ended 30 September 2009 are in line with market expectations. FTSE 100 down 4 at 4,581.

0915: Sage is leading Footsie higher on what could be the index's twelfth straight day of gains. The software giant said results for the year ended 30 September 2009 are in line with market expectations. Can maker Rexam (LSE: REX.L - news) is the heaviest faller, compounding losses yesterday when it admitted it is considering a fund-raising. FTSE 100 up 23 at 4,609.

0835: Footsie has made a bright start on this potentially record breaking day. Lloyds continues to push ahead on talk its results will be a lot better than feared. Pearson (LSE: PSON.L - news) is still going well after yesterday's strong numbers. Sage's trading update is also well received. Randgold Resources (LSE: RRS.L - news) leads the fallers on a cash call. FTSE 100 up 22 at 4,608.