Market overview: Shire jumps after results

LONDON (ShareCast) - 1340: Shire (LSE: GB00B0KQX869.L - news) has emerged as the top riser in the Footsie (news) after the pharmaceutical giant announced a smaller than feared 14% drop in third quarter revenue and cheered a 20% surge in sales of core products. FTSE 100 flat at 5,137.

1230: US personal spending fell by 0.5% in September, while personal income was flat. Both forecasts were in line with expectations.

1215: Directories group Yell is leading the risers in the FTSE 250 (news) after the firm, which yesterday extended the deadline for its refinancing to 5pm that evening said today that it has made significant progress over the last 24 hours and is now awaiting acceptances from the final two lenders. Meanwhile, in the FTSE 100, advertising group WPP (LSE: WPP.L - news) is helping keep Footsie in the blue after saying that it expects the second half to show a marked improvement in profitability and that overall conditions are "less worse". FTSE 100 up 8 at 5,146.

1110: Advertising group WPP is helping keep Footsie in the blue after saying that it expects the second half to show a marked improvement in profitability and that overall conditions are "less worse". Lloyds Banking (LSE: LLOY.L - news) , which has been upgraded by the brokers Credit Suisse and Exane BNP Paribas following yesterday's confirmation that it is in advanced discussions with UK authorities regarding alternatives to entering the state insurance scheme for toxic debt. FTSE 100 up 18 at 5,157.

1015: Having shaken off early lethargy, the Footsie is showing no sign of kicking on. The FTSE 100 is up 14 at 5,151. Insurers dominate the list of blue-chips still sitting in the red. Car insurance group Admiral (LSE: ADM.L - news) joins life assurance stocks such as Aviva (LSE: AV.L - news) , RSA and Prudential on the slide.

0932: Leading shares are now mostly higher. DIY retailers Home Retail (LSE: HOME.L - news) and Kingfisher (LSE: KGF.L - news) are wanted after a Nationwide Building Society survey suggested UK house prices are rising for the first time in 19 months, as buyers return to the market. FTSE 100 is up 23 at 5,161.

0825: London's blue chips have turned lower despite upbeat economic and company news out this morning. Economic data released Friday shows that UK consumers are more confident now than at any time in the last 21 months. Advertising giant WPP is leading the risers after it said it expects the second half to show a marked improvement in profitability and said overall conditions are "less worse". FTSE is 8 points lower at 5,129