The FTSE was down in early trading at 5311.91, representing a drop of 2.04 points (0.04%), ahead of US GDP data.

The governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has declared a fiscal state of emergency as lawmakers stall on delivery of a state budget, now more than a month overdue.

The FTSE opened higher at 5123.14, up 17.69 points (0.35%), helped by mining companies rebounding from recent losses.

The FTSE opened higher on Friday, at 4823.61, up 17.86 points (0.37%) after a late rally on Wall Street supporting prices.

Europe must focus on growth as well as cutting spending to reduce national deficits, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says.

British factory production surged ahead at a rate five times faster than expected in March as the weak pound helped revitalise Britain's export trade.

British factory production has surged ahead at a rate five times faster than expected in March as the weak pound helped revitalise Britain's export trade.

The FTSE was up in early morning trading at 5717.92, rising 38.28 points (0.67%).

The FTSE was at 5708.41 in early trading, down 19.24 points or 0.34%, as investors reacted with caution to a eurozone bail-out plan for Greece.

The FTSE opened at 5,674.63, up 32.01 points (0.57%), on the back of positive employment figures from both the UK and US yesterday.