Market overview: US unemployment rate up to 10.2%

LONDON (ShareCast) - 1330: October non-farm payrolls data showed the US unemployment rate rose to 10.2% from 9.8% in September. The number of jobs lost in October was 190,000, versus expectations of 175,000 job losses.

1256: The market remains reluctant to commit itself too heavily ahead of this afternoon's US non-farm payrolls data, with the FTSE 100 just 9 points higher at 5,134. Rentokil Initial (LSE: RTO.L - news) is sharply lower despite its third quarter pre-tax profit figures coming in 8% above forecasts by stockbrokers Charles Stanley and Panmure Gordon. Oil groups are also a drag on the index after the price of crude fell below $80 overnight.

1153: The FTSE 100 is still up 11 points, steady ahead of the widely-watched US non-farm payrolls report at 1.30pm. Economists think 175,000 jobs were lost in October.

1016: London has made a decent start with British Airways (LSE: BAY.L - news) and Royal Bank of Scotland (LSE: RBS.L - news) both ahead despite massive losses this morning. Rentokil Initial, which did announce decent numbers, is the worst performer. FTSE 100 up 11 at 5,137.

0903: Rises outnumber falls by three to one among FTSE 100 constituents but the blue-chip index's rise is still an anaemic looking one; the FTSE 100 index is up 13 at 5,138. Vodafone (LSE: VOD.L - news) , one of the most heavily weighted index constituents, is the biggest faller, while the big oil groups are also acting as a drag on the index.

0830: Footsie (news) has so far shrugged off more huge losses at Royal Bank of Scotland and British Airways, with the 200 point gain for the Dow overnight keeping buyers interested. BA is one of the best performers despite a £292m deficit. Smith & Nephew is also going well after figures. Vodafone is the weakest performer so far. FTSE 100 up 4 at 5,130.