Dow Jones

The FTSE is hovering below 6,000 at the start of this week's trading, down 0.04% or 2.6 to 5,999.45, as traders await the outcome of today's eurozone finance ministers' meeting in Brussels.

UPDATE 12pm: The FTSE is up a third of a percent and other key European markets have jumped 1.3% on news Portugal has succeeded in raising £1bn in a bonds auction, easing concerns over the country's need for an EU bailout.

The FTSE 100 has opened in the red, falling 0.23% or 13.67 points to 5,970.66 this morning as December's US non-farm payroll number, announced on Friday, came in well below forecasts.

US labour market data released today failed to meet expectations but Neptune's head of US equities Felix Wintle says the figures point to economic recovery.

The FTSE 100 has opened slightly up, building on gains on Wall Street and positive employment news in the US.

A family-owned hedge fund will offer investors the chance to use Twitter posts to gauge the mood of the stockmarket.

The FTSE 100 is expected to receive a powerful boost from strong US markets overnight which hit highs last seen before the collapse of Lehman Brothers two years ago.

The FTSE has broken through the 5,900 barrier, up 0.56% or 32.89 to 5,904 at 3pm, to reach a 52-week high.

The FTSE 100 closed at its highest level since 2008 last night but has fallen back in today's trading following late weakness in the US.

The FTSE edged 0.1% lower to 5,853.66 points in early trading as company-specific news guided price moves.