FTSE 100

Markets worldwide suffered on news the US is likely to put an end to its loose monetary policy.

Barclays Wealth has added two long-short funds into the intermediary market, linked to the performance of the FTSE 100.

US shares moved lower at opening, exacerbating falls in Europe, as yet more negative jobs data weighed on investors.

Woeful economic data in the US and a three notch downgrade of Greece's credit rating saw global markets tumble overnight.

The FTSE 100 was down in early trading as ongoing uncertainty about the Greek bailout hit markets and sent the euro lower against the dollar.

London shares moved higher in early trading, reacting to overnight gains in the US which benefitted from the successful IPO of social networking powerhouse LinkedIn.

European markets climbed this morning on news IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn had resigned following sex crime allegations.

The FTSE 100 has opened in positive territory after a commodities bounce-back lifted Wall Street yesterday.

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

Banking shares led the FTSE 100 lower late morning after Lloyds Banking Group revealed it had set aside £3.2bn to compensate customers for missold payment protection insurance.