FTSE edges into positive territory

The FTSE 100 Index edged into positive territory today after news that the UK weakly emerged from its longest and deepest recession in the final quarter of 2009.

A late round of buying helped the Footsie avoid a fifth straight session in the red as a strong open on Wall Street offset UK gloom after the 0.1% economic growth came in well below the 0.4% expected in the City.