FTSE 100

Wall Street has opened sharply lower this morning on the return of European sovereign debt fears.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.85% or 46.36 points to 5,392.83 this morning with Barclays among the biggest losers.

US stocks have opened sharply ahead this morning as private employers added more jobs than forecast in August, boosting optimism the world's largest economy can avoid slipping back into recession.

In the US, trading volumes fell ahead of key job market data to be released later today.

GROWTH INVESTING

Speculation of M&A in various sectors, as well as rising precious and base metals miners, drove the FTSE upwards by 1.5% to 5,303.72 points by 2.15pm.

The FTSE 100 opened higher, up 0.25% or 12.95 points to 5,238.17, supported by encouraging economic data coming out of China this morning.

CONTRARIAN INVESTOR

The FTSE 100 moved slightly lower in afternoon trading as double-dip fears persisted on the back of negative housing market data.

The index of 100 leading shares opened down this morning as investor confidence was hit by stock sell-offs in the US and Asia.