FTSE 100

Developed market shares were fleeting between positive and negative territory this afternoon as US jobs data disappointed and investor confidence in the eurozone weakened.

BlackRock's Richard Plackett, manager of the £1.5bn UK Special Situations fund, has been rotating out of large-cap defensive stocks and adding to small and mid caps, reflecting his more optimistic outlook on the world economy.

Apple shares leapt as trading began on Wall Street today after it reported yesterday that profits had almost doubled in a single quarter.

Wall Street fell on the opening bell, building on losses seen in European markets today as macro fears dampened sentiment.

European markets were firmer this morning after the results of the much-anticipated Spanish debt auction were annouced.

BP has reached agreements with 100,000 individual plaintiffs to resolve claims from the 2010 oil spill - costing the company $7.8bn.

UK banks were making solid gains early this morning, lifting the wider FTSE 100 index, having been sold-off yesterday on eurozone fears.

BOUTIQUE FOCUS

Worries over the health of sovereign nations in Europe - and in particular Spain - have pushed bond yields sharply higher during trading today, while equity markets are clinging on to gains following a strong start.

M&A