FTSE

SMALL CAPS

DIAMOND JUBILEE

The UK's largest companies were climbing this morning on the back of Chinese stimulus hopes, after Shanghai Securities News said Chinese banks have "sped up" lending.

CONTRARIAN INVESTOR

Spain's market regulator has suspended trading in Bankia shares ahead of a crunch meeting where the lender is expected to ask the government for around €15bn to stay afloat.

European equity markets have given up all yesterday's gains as investors remain on the back foot ahead of today's EU summit.

Facebook shares fell another 8% on its third day of trading on the Nasdaq after the stock closed 11% lower on Monday.

Markets across Europe have risen on hopes EU leaders may agree new measures to tackle the debt crisis at the NATO summit this week.

The FTSE 100 entered correction territory this morning after falling more than 10% since March.

(Updated: 9.15) Asian indices fell overnight, mirroring losses in the US and Europe, over fears about the impact a Greek exit from the single currency could have on the rest of the region.