Afternoon Markets: Dow slides despite positive jobs data

The Dow has slumped in early trading, despite optimistic figures showing more Americans are finding work.

America's blue chip index is down 35.97 points (0.38%) to 9511.25 at 14.55, in spite of unemployment claims for the week ended 5 September falling by 26,000 to 550,000, according to the Labor Department. General Electric Co tumbled 1.88% to $14.59, while American Express shed 1.85% to $33.46. However, Proctor & Gamble Co has added 3.65% to $55.72 after confirming previous guidance for organic sales growth of between 1% and 3% in the 2010 tax year and Walt Disney Co has gained 0.71% to $27.14. In the UK, the FTSE 100 has continued its slight decline, down 35.85 points (0.72%) to 496...