LONDON (ShareCast) - 1630: Stocks ended the session almost flat, down by 0.05 points at 6,898.08. Intu was the worst issue on the Footsie, following a downgrade from Barclays to equalweight. Hargreaves led gains after unveiling a free withdrawal scheme for pensioners. ARM Holdings received a boost to its price target from UBS. For its part, Regus benefited from an upgrade out of Credit Suisse. FTSE 100 down 0.05 points to 6,898.08.








1333: US housing starts fell by 2% month-on-month in January to reach an annualised rate of 1.065m, according to the US Department of Commerce.

1136: Commenting on today's MPC minutes Martin Beck, senior economic adviser to the EY Item Club, says: "So the divisions among the MPC which appeared to have diminished in light of January's unanimous vote. may be re-emerging."

1125: UBS points out how it sees attractions in general industrial names where there could be consensus EPS upside - such as Vesuvius, Tyman, Bodycote or IMI - and also oversold oil capex exposed names. It therefore has decided to update its 'Key Calls' list, adding both Vesuvius and Tyman.

1123: Regus is getting a boost out of a price target hike from Credit Suisse this morning. The Swiss broker is also out with positive comments on jewellery stocks today. As well, and for Wolseley, it tells clients that "We believe investors interest in the name is at the lowest level for the past two years. WOS remains a top pick for us.

1046: The yield on 10-year Gilts is rising by six basis points to 1.82% in the aftermath of today's employment report and MPC minutes.

1042: Analysts at Peel Hunt have downgraded their view on British Land to hold from buy.

0931: One measure of unemployment in the UK surprised to the downside in January, even while wage growth fell short of economists' estimates. The claimant count decreased by 38,600 to reach 823,000. The consensus estimate had been for a fall of 25,000.

0930: The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to keep policy unchanged at the last meeting, minutes show.

0903: The FTSE 100 is up 0.2% at 6,913, closing in on an all-time high on the back of hopes for Greece. The last time the index has closed above this level was on 31 December 1999 when it settled at a record high of 6,930.20. The intraday record of 6,950.60 was reached on that same day. Athens is said to be preparing a temporary loan agreement rather than a continuation of its existing bailout which includes strict austerity measures and controversial reforms. Connor Campbell, analyst at Spreadex, said: "This move resembles the sorely needed compromise that has been lacking for much of the past two weeks, and the Eurozone indices have taken this sentiment to heart, creeping into the green after the bell."

Email this article to a friend

or share it with one of these popular networks:

• DIGG
• FACEBOOK
• STUMBLEUPON
• MIXX
• YAHOO BUZZ
• DELICIOUS
• REDDIT
• NEWSVINE