FTSE 100

Shares in Barclays led the FTSE 100 leader board today as investors reacted to an upgrade from Goldman Sachs.

The FTSE 100's dismal week continued today as the UK's leading index fell to a four-month low, and remains on course to make a loss for the week.

US indices slumped overnight as prospect of politicians at loggerheads over the fiscal cliff continued to worry investors.

European markets were flat in mid-morning trading today as investors paused for breath amid fresh rumours Spain is about to request an official bailout.

Poor interim results from Vodafone have pushed the FTSE 100 down 0.9% to a two-month low in morning trading.

US stock markets saw a third consecutive day of losses following Barack Obama's victory in the presidential election this week.

The Dow shed more than 300 points in yesterday's session as investors questioned re-elected President Barack Obama's commitment to dealing with the US fiscal cliff.

The FTSE 100 is approaching an 16-month high today as investors around the globe welcomed Barack Obama's US election victory.

CONTRARIAN

UK equities have been surprisingly resilient this year, with the FTSE 100 and the FTSE All-Share each posting gains in the face of a raft of macroeconomic uncertainties.