Market News - London

LONDON (ShareCast) - 1630: Close The FTSE 100 rose for the 11th day in succession, matching the previous record number of consecutive rises. It was a close run thing, however, with the blue-chip index rising just 10 points to 4,586, helped by a strong performance from banks and miners. Lonmin (LSE: LMI.L - news) led the mienrs higher after Goldman Sachsraised its rating from "reduce" to "buy". In banking, the part-nationalised banks Lloyds and RBS (LSE: RBS.L - news) were the star performers, while Barclays (LSE: BARC.L - news) went the other way, ending the day in the red.

1500: Footsie (news) is still lacking any real sense of direction after a sluggish start on Wall Street. The index is still pulled both ways by publisher Pearson (LSE: PSON.L - news) , up 10% after better than expected results and can maker Rexam (LSE: REX.L - news) , down by the same margin after announcing it is preparing a fund-raising. FTSE 100 down 2 at 4,573.

1410: Footsie is flat now amid a tug of war between publisher Pearson, up 10% after better than expected results and can maker Rexam, down by the same margin after announcing it is preparing a fund-raising. Elsewhere, Lloyds Banking (LSE: LLOY.L - news) gets a lift from a "buy" recommendation from Nomura. FTSE 100 up 1 at 4,578.

1215: Footsie is back in the blue, with publisher Pearson, whose stable includes the FT, leading the way after better than expected results. Can maker Rexam is the heaviest faller after saying an equity issue is on the cards. In the FTSE 250 (news) , bus and rail group National Express (LSE: NEX.L - news) is up after peer Stagecoach confirmed it is in discussions over buying some of National Express's assets. FTSE 100 up 18 at 4,595.

1037: The blue-chip index looks disinclned to strat far from Friday's closing level this morning. A strong gain on Pearson, after the publisher announced better than expected results, is counteracted by a sharp fall on Rexam, after the packaging group warned that an equity issue is on the cards. Lloyds Banking gets a lift from a "buy" recommendation from Nomura but British Airways (LSE: BAY.L - news) is dragged lower by a gloomy outlook statement from RyanAir (Dublin: RY4.IR - news) . FTSE 100 is down 3 at 4,573.

0936: After a firm start leading equities are mixed. Packaging group Rexam is sharply lower after it confirmed it is considering an equity raising to see it through the current difficult market conditions. Banks and resource stocks are in demand, however. FTSE 100 is down 2 at 4,574.

0830: Footsie remains on course for an eleventh straight day of gains. FT owner Pearson leads the charge on better than expected half year figures. Miners also also in demand again with Lonmin and Antofagasta (LSE: ANTO.L - news) the best performers. Rexam is the weak spot on confirmation a rights issue is on the way. FTSE 100 up 15 at 4,592.