FTSE100 firmly higher by midday with Next pace-setting

USD ADP Non-Farm Employment Change 130K 151K 145K

USD Core CPI m/m 0.1% 0.2% 0.1%

USD CPI m/m 0.2% 0.2% 0.1%

FTSE100 pared gains in the afternoon session to close flat

Fed maintains strong stimulus as U.S. growth stumbles

WASHINGTON | Wed Oct 30, 2013 7:23pm GMT
(Reuters) - The Federal Reserve extended its support for a slowing U.S. economy on Wednesday, sounding a bit less optimistic about growth and saying it will keep buying $85 billion in bonds per month for the time being.

In announcing the widely expected decision, Fed officials nodded to weaker economic prospects due in part to a fiscal fight in Washington that shuttered much of the government for 16 days earlier this month.