Dow Jones

London's leading share index edged up this morning, despite fears of an imminent end to US economic stimulus.

Oil has hit its highest level since August 2008 and has broken a new record in sterling terms, hitting £74.60 a barrel.

London's leading share index dropped below the 6,000 mark this morning as BP and Vodafone sold off parts of their asset base.

The FTSE 100 opened higher this morning as the index began clawing back yesterday's losses as the Irish banking stress tests pushed investors to sell.

The FTSE 100 advanced in early trading after positive jobs data lifted the Dow.

The FTSE has opened trading cautiously as investors await the final fourth quarter UK GDP reading this morning.

The FTSE 100 continued its rally this morning off the back of a strong showing in the US where better than expected earning pushed the S&P 500 through the 1,300 point barrier.

European stock markets are subdued in early trading and have been unable to mirror the overnight gains made in Asia and the US.

The yen suffered the biggest decline in more than two years against the dollar on Friday after the G7 group of leading industrial nations moved to rein in the currency.

Global markets are continuing to fight back with all the leading indices trading in the black after G7 finance ministers agreed to cool the soaring yen.