FTSE 100

European equities lost ground in afternoon trading ahead of a crucial EU summit, as Spain officially asked its eurozone neighbours for a bailout.

World markets including the FTSE fell in early trading as weak economic data and Moody's downgrade of 15 banks unnerved investors.

The FTSE 100 fell alongside other major markets across Europe today, after the Federal Reserve cut its growth forecast for the US economy.

Wall Street opened higher this afternoon as investors anticipated central bank stimulus measures would be forthcoming when the Federal Reserve's policy meeting concludes on Wednesday.

Europe's major markets are climbing today ahead of the Greek elections, and following the Bank of England's unveiling of a £100bn stimulus package for the UK economy.

The FTSE 100 and a host of European markets were tumbling today after a warning from Moody's about Spain's credit rating spooked nervous investors.

London's leading share index climbed in early trading after a strong session on Wall Street yesterday.

Spanish and Italian bond yields have continued to race ahead following the European Union's bailout of the troubled economy's banking system.

Liontrust's top performing fund manager Anthony Cross has backed Hargreaves Lansdown's shares to surge after the final rules around platforms and RDR are released.

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