The FTSE100 is currently 10.3 points higher at 5,774.9 the FTSE250 is currently down 48.4 points at 9,399.3 and the FTSE Smallcaps is also down 4.6 points at 3,431.6.

Volume is weak so far today with just 703 million shares changing hands in 109,877 deals.


Today’s look at individual Stocks:


Following comments from Iran oil stocks were all up this morning, BP gaining 5.5p at 639p and Shell also up 25p at 1,849p. Tullow Oil stock was also in demand, up 2p at 371.75p.


Mining stocks followed the oil sector and climbed higher. BHP Billiton is currently 17.5p at 1042.5p. Kazakhmys is up 11p at 1,133p and Rio Tinto is up 26p higher to 2,904p.


Scottish Power gained 6.5p at 573.5p, while National Grid gained 5.5p at 612p.


BAA was another gainer this morning, up 7p to 912p, as the takeover battle for the airports operator is set to reach a crunch time this week. Spain's Grupo Ferrovial has to make its final offer for BAA today and The Sunday Telegraph reported speculation that it will allow shareholders to keep a 15p dividend, thereby increasing its current 900p a share offer a third time. Meanwhile a consortium led by US investment bank Goldman Sachs was understood to have come back with a 950p a share bid for BAA this weekend.


Broker comment had some positive impact on insurer Aviva adding 11p at 743.5p, after the stock was upgraded to buy from hold by Deutsche Bank on valuation grounds, with a reduced target price of 893p, down from 935p.


Intercontinental Hotels, climbed 10p to 939p after an upbeat brokers comment. Citigroup gave the stock a buy recommendation. The US broker said the hotel group is at the final stage of its restructuring process and from 2007 the market should have a better feel for the growth profile of its underlying business.


PartyGaming is under pressure today (topping the blue-chip losers board) currently down 4p at 123.25p the stock is currently being hit by continuing fears of a large stock overhang. Two of the online gaming founders are rumoured to have asked the board for permission to sell up to 500 million shares, or an eighth of the company, in the next two weeks. This follows the recent decision by both men to resign from Partygaming's board.


ITV shares lost 0.75p at 107p after Lehman Brothers cut estimates for the UK broadcaster by as much as 16% and lowered the price target to 118p from 125p. The Footsieblog still rates this stock a sell.


Carphone Warehouse was also in demand today ahead of full year results due tomorrow; the stock is up 3.5p at 330.75p.


The Portfolio:


Wolfson (WLF) - The stock is currently up 0.96% at 474.75p
The Footsieblog made one stock purchase on Friday to add to the portfolio. The stock in question is the old favourite Tullow Oil (TLW). The stock was purchased at 368.00p. The price target for this stock is 450.00p.

The stock is currently up 0.95% at 373.25p