Dow Jones

London trading got off to a strong start Thursday, following positive results for Rio Tinto and rumours Aviva could be the target of a buyout bid.

Financials and British Airways pushed the FTSE slightly higher this morning.

The Dow Jones has opened more than 1.2% higher in early trading as investors reacted positively to signs Greece could get help from the European Union.

The FTSE 100 opened flat Tuesday after a slump in financial stocks sent the Dow Jones to its first close below 10,000 in three months.

The Dow Jones dipped in early trading this morning after seeing huge losses on Thursday.

The FTSE slumped 1.14% to 5080.80 in early trading as it continues to be battered by global concerns over the economy and debt issues in Greece and Portugal.

Shares fell in London this morning with miners losing ground after high metal prices increased their value earlier this week.

UK insurer Standard Life leads the gains this morning despite reporting a fall in life and pensions sales in 2009.

The FTSE fell in early trading, dragged down by negative market sentiment towards resources firms.

The FTSE 100 opened lower, down 39.78 points or 0.76% to 5220 over worries about global growth following announcements in China and the US.