Fewer small business owners are optimistic about their prospects than a year ago, with only one in 10 planning to recruit new staff, according to a new report from the UK.

Traders in London were left in limbo today after Hurricane Sandy forced Wall Street to shut down for the first time since the September 11 attacks.

Takeover activity helped lift the London market higher today after blue-chip Old Mutual said it had entered into exclusive talks with HSBC to sell South African bank Nedbank.

Blue-chip Old Mutual led the FTSE 100 Index higher today as miners also lent support on hopes that Australia’s election result will scupper a new super tax.

The Lloyd’s of London insurance market is still on track for a good profit in 2004 despite expected claims of around £1 billion from a spate of hurricanes, a senior market source says.

Leading shares were surging in opening deals, with the FTSE 100 testing the 3,900 point barrier as tobacco and oil stocks advanced, while positive news from Oracle overnight aided second-line technology stocks, dealers said. At 8.59 am, the FTSE 100 index was up 67.9 points to 3,903.1, having earlier touched a high of 3,907.2.