1630: Close The FTSE made decent gains on Thursday, led by British Airways owner IAG which soared as its operating loss of 107m euro for 2012 was better than the company's guidance in November of 120m euro. Miners, meanwhile, dragged the index lower with Kazakhmys shares hit after it said that it would be slashing its dividend for 2012 to reflect falling profits. In economic news, it was revealed that 20 stores a day closed down on Britain's high streets in 2012 and it could grow worse this year. The number of retailers shutting their doors climbed to 1,779 last year from 174 in 2011. The FTSE closed up 35 points to 6,361.

1445: US Chicago NAPM manufacturing sector survey for the month of February has risen to 56.8 points from 55.6 in the month before (Consensus: 54). FTSE 100 up 31 to 6,356.

1335: Initial US unemployment claims fell by 22,000 to 344,000 last week. The country´s GDP, on the other hand, expanded at a 0.1 per cent pace in the last three months of 2012, below the 0.5% rise that was forecast. Chicago NAPM survey data is slated for release at 14:45.

1222: Shares of IAG continue to lead gains on the Footsie and are now at one-and-a-half year highs, approaching technical resistance towards 250p. Reed Elsevier is another outstanding gainer after announcing that it plan to repurchase 300m pounds of its stock this year, following the 250m pounds purchased last year. FTSE 100 up 17 to 6,343.

1018: US activist investor Knight Vinke has called on Italian oil giant Eni to separate its oilfield services unit, and Petrofac peer, Saipem, according to published reports. FTSE 100 up 22 to 6,348.

0845: UK stocks have begun the day higher, buoyed by the naming of the new - and very dovish - Governor of the Bank of Japan. IAG is in the lead early after it beat analysts´ guidance despite the rise in fuel costs and adverse currency movements. Kazhakmys and RBS are the biggest drag on the top share index. FTSE 100 up 33 to 6,358.

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