FTSE 100

Large caps are offering once-in-a-decade opportunity on a valuation-and-yield basis, according to Mark Barnett, manager of the Invesco Perpetual Strategic Income fund.

The index of the UK's 100 leading shares has closed down on the day, with major insurers the biggest drag on markets.

The FTSE opened at 5,727 this morning, sliding 0.08% in early trading, although there was a raft of M&A activity among the UK's largest companies.

On what looks likely to be a quiet day for UK corporate news, traders are focused on the US where September's non-farm payrolls numbers are due to be released this afternoon.

Miners relinquished some of yesterday's gains in early trading on Thursday, pulling the FTSE more than 20 points lower to 5,659.

London entered the final quarter of 2010 in positive mood with sentiment lifted by hints from incoming BP boss the group is ready to restore the dividend payments suspended during the Gulf of Mexico crisis.

The UK index of 100 leading shares was up in early trading, lifted by rises in all the major global markets.

European markets have fallen sharply this morning with the FTSE 100 down 1.1% or 61.8 points at 5,511.63.

A $3.7bn acquisition by consumer products giant Unilever led European markets higher in early Monday trade, the FTSE 100 adding 0.2%.

UK EQUITIES