A short while ago the FTSE 100 was trading at 58/39 up nought-point-2 per cent

**

New car sales accelerated last month, according to the Society of Motor
Manufacturers and Traders.

The lure of the new six-two number plates meant there were 359-thousand-612
new registrations in September - an 8-point-2 per cent rise on the previous
year.

**

House prices continued to fall last month and the market is expected to remain
subdued but stable into 2013, according to the Halifax.

New figures show a typical house price fell to around 159-thousand 500 pounds
in September - representing a 1-point-2 per cent fall
on a year ago and a nought-point-4 per cent drop month-on-month.

**

Despite mixed signs over the health of the economy, Bank of England
policymakers have decided against adding any further emergency support.

Its Monetary Policy Committee have maintained interest rates at its record low
of nought-point-5 percent. 

**

Halfords says Britain's cycling success at the Tour de France and the Olympics
has resulted in strong summer trading.

Store sales rose 5-point-6 per cent in the second quarter - clawing back some
losses earlier in the year.

**

[Total 01:06]