Footsie on course for 25% annual fall

The FTSE 100 Index looks certain to complete the year 25% lower than it started, though it stands 20.8 points higher at 3921.4.

Supermarkets are making most of the running ahead of crucial trading updates in the New Year as Safeway is up 3.75p to 206.75p and Sainsbury's is ahead 2.5p to 280p, although Tesco has eased 0.25p to 193p after an earlier gain.