Shares in taxpayer-backed Lloyds Banking Group soared to a five-year high yesterday amid speculation the government is poised to start selling its stake.
Shares in investment manager Ashmore Group have jumped more than 8% after the company released strong full year results this morning.
Shares in low-cost airline Ryanair tumbled 15% on Wednesday after the firm issued a surprise profit warning.
Markets around the world sold off overnight while oil continued to soar, as the prospect of military involvement in Syria's civil war grows.
European financials are among the day's biggest fallers as benchmark French and German indices struggle amid intensifying geopolitical concerns.
The FTSE 100 was off around 1% this morning while oil prices climbed, as unrest in the Middle East threatens to escalate.
Invesco Perpetual's star manager Neil Woodford has warned that the UK market is likely to see a rise in short-term volatility as the US withdraws monetary support.