Momentum peters out after Dow adds 275 points

UK shares were muted at the open, failing to take advantage of yesterday's 3% rise in the S&P 500.

The S&P 500 closed up at 1,199 on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones adding 275 points to finish 2.5% higher at 11,415, but sentiment in Europe and Asia was less positive. Overnight the Nikkei added just 0.34%, climbing to 8,793, while the Hang Seng was down 0.67% at 19,913. The weak Asian performance weighed on the UK at open, as investors held back after a strong showing yesterday. By 09:45am, the FTSE 100 was trading up 0.8% at 5,360, with the Cac 40 in France up 0.84% to 3,099 and Germany's Dax up 0.43% to 5,429. The focus now shifts to policymaker activity later on Thursday. Bot...