Comment & Analysis

LONDON (ShareCast) - 1540: Footsie (news) 's foray into positive territory proved short-lived and the leading share index sits firmly in the red. Figures showed new US housing sales unexpectedly fell in August, by 2.7% to an annual rate of 5.1m. FTSE 100 down 44 at 5,095.

1435: Footsie is in the blue following a bright start on Wall Street. One of today's best performers is the software group Autonomy, which has announced a license agreement with the European Commission. More interestingly, the stock is the subject of rumours of a Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT - news) takeover bid. Private equity group 3i is the heaviest faller after it said it has extended its revolving credit facilities to 31 October 2012 but cautioned that private equity and mergers and acquisition markets remain subdued. FTSE 100 up 8 at 5,148.

1335: The number of Americans claiming unemployment fell by 21,000 to 530,000 in the week ended September 19, lifting sentiment. Footsie is again looking to break into positive territory. Insurer Old Mutual is currently the best performer. FTSE 100 down 3 at 5,136.

1215: Autonomy has emerged as the top riser in the FTSE 100, though the leading share index remains in the red. The software group this morning. London Stock Exchange (LSE: LSE.L - news) is still the heaviest faller after saying the average daily value traded on its SETS electronic trading system declined by 43% in the five month ended August. FTSE 100 down 18 at 5,121.

1040: Footsie seems to be creeping back towards the blue as continued strength in the mining sector offsets losses elsewhere. Kazakstan's ENRC, Mexican silver miner Fresnillo (LSE: FRES.L - news) and diversied miner Xstrata (LSE: XTA.L - news) are among the risers. London Stock Exchange falls back after it said the average daily value traded on its SETS electronic trading system declined by 43% in the five month ended August. FTSE 100 down 17 at 5,122.

0945: Footsie is continuing in the same range with the London Stock Exchange, British Airways (LSE: BAY.L - news) and Thomas Cook all down, while defensives like Unilever (LSE: ULVR.L - news) and GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK.L - news) are higher. FTSE 100 is down 38 points to 5101.

0827: London's top stocks are posting losses in early dealings on Thursday, tracking declines in the US and Asia after downbeat comments by the Federal Reserve about the US economy. The London Stock Exchange is leading the fallers after it said the average daily value traded on its SETS electronic trading system declined by 43% in the five month ended August. FTSE 100 is down 37 points at 5,102.