FTSE 100

Equity markets around the world have struggled to make headway this year, with many major indices giving up gains made early on to leave them standing flat or down for 2012.

G4S, the UK-listed contractor which has had to ask for help to ensure security at the Olympics is watertight has seen its shares plunge today over the blunder which has cost it up to £50m.

COMMODITIES

Stronger than expected employment data could not prevent Wall Street selling off at the open this afternoon.

Barclays former chief executive Bob Diamond has said he is "dismayed" MPs have questioned the truthfulness of answers he provided to the Treasury Select Committee.

The FSA's chairman Lord Adair Turner warned Barclays earlier this year its reputation in the wider market was being damaged by its own submissions to banking bodies and its handling of trading books.

Barclays former chief executive Bob Diamond has opted to give up a deferred bonus owed to him from his former bank, worth up to £20m.

PROFIT WARNINGS

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is fighting against a court order which requires it to co-operate with an international criminal investigation into rate-fixing.

The FTSE 100 has risen in early trading, building on recent gains, but Barclays' share price remains volatile as investors react to CEO Bob Diamond's resignation.