FTSE 100

Hargreaves Lansdown has risen 5.8% to top the FTSE 100 leaderboard as the blue-chip index recovers from yesterday's decline.

Global markets, including the FTSE, pulled back sharply yesterday from multi-year highs, as political uncertainty in Spain and Italy spooked investors.

Barclays has announced that Chris Lucas, its group finance director, and Mark Harding, the group general counsel, are to retire from the business.

Capita Registrars has cut its UK dividend growth projection for 2013 from 8% to 6.7%, warning payouts cannot outstrip GDP growth indefinitely.

The FTSE 100 rose 6.43% or 379.07 points in January, making this the strongest start to a year since 1989.

London's leading share index is on course to record its best January performance since 1998, despite fears the UK economy could fall into a triple-dip recession later this year.

Fidelity Special Situations fund manager Sanjeev Shah has warned investors that equities are at risk of a significant pullback this year as valuations approach multi-year highs.

CONTRARIAN

London's leading share index soared to its highest level since May 2008 in afternoon trading yesterday, breaking through the 6,300 barrier, as the New Year rally continues to gather pace.

An indicator that measures momentum in the FTSE 100 index has shot up to levels last seen in 1997, implying the UK's leading share index is at its most overbought level for 15 years.