The FTSE 100 was 1.3% lower this morning after slowing Chinese GDP data and a Moody's warning over France's AAA-rating weighed on sentiment.
The FTSE 100 was trading at its highest level since early August this morning, as optimism over the crisis in Europe continued to cheer investors.
UK firms will see their dividend payouts hit £67bn this year, an 18% rise on 2010, according to the latest Dividend Monitor from Capita Registrars.
US equity markets have opened higher as markets react to better than expected US jobs data for September.
US markets recovered from initial falls on the opening bell as investors digested an ECB rate freeze and some positive US employment data.
US markets dropped on the opening bell as investors braced for three sets of unemployment data including Friday's September non-farm payroll figures.
The FTSE 100 made up some of the ground lost in recent days, gaining over 100 points in early trading, amid talk in Europe of plans to recapitalise the banking system.
The FTSE 100 has fallen as much as 3.5% as fresh eurozone concerns pushed the index down to the 4,900 mark.