Financial News

LONDON (ShareCast) - 1055: Whitbread (LSE: WTB.L - news) is still the standout stock in the FTSE 100. While profits at the Premier Inn budget hotel and Costa Coffee owner fell in the first half, the firm has seen improving trends at both businesses. Kazakhmys (LSE: KAZ.L - news) is higher after the miner announced the sale of its 25% stake in a power plant in Kazakhstan. FTSE 100 down 14 at 5,196.

1005: Footsie (news) is now sitting just above 5,200 points as banks and miners weigh. Lloyds Banking (LSE: LLOY.L - news) is the heaviest faller, with peers RBS (LSE: RBS.L - news) and Barclays (LSE: BARC.L - news) also lower. South America-focused copper miner Antofagasta (LSE: ANTO.L - news) leads the mining sector lower. Shares in Whitbread are higher after the Premier Inn and Costa Coffee owner reported an improving trend at its budget hotel chain. FTSE 100 down 8 at 5,202.

0910: Shares in Whitbread are higher after the Premier Inn and Costa Coffee owner reported an improving trend at its budget hotel chain. Miners and banks leading Footsie lower. FTSE 100 down 17 at 5,192.

0825: The FTSE 100 is down 7 at 5,202, reflecting last night's performance on Wall Street where gains were trimmed after London closed. Miners are responsible for much of the early dip over here, with Randgold, Lonmin (LSE: LMI.L - news) , Antofagasta and Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO.L - news) reacting to weaker metal prices. Whitbread is the best of the early risers, adding almost 3% after it reported an improving trend at its budget hotel chain Premier Inn. ITV (LSE: ITV.L - news) rallied 4% on news it is to raise £120m through convertible bonds and reiterated it has no plans for a rights issue.