Markets remain lower ahead of US jobs data

Global markets are continuing to post heavy falls, with all major indices deep into the red, as concerns the eurozone debt crisis and weak US economy could lead to another recession.

The FTSE 100 was down 2.2% or 119 points at 5,274 at 12.17pm, slightly recovering from earlier lows. Banks remained under the cosh with RBS, which reported heavy losses earlier today, off 5.5% or 1.66p, at 28.62p. Barclays was off 2.4% or 4.65p, at 191.35p, but Lloyds rebounded, climbing 0.4% to 35.13p. Meanwhile in  Europe shares also remained weaker, with the German Dax off 1.82% to 6,298, while the French Cac was down 0.28% to 3,331. Investors are now looking to the monthly US non-farm payrolls report in the hope that employment figures produce a positive surprise. The con...