US markets opened lower today while the FTSE 100 continued its slide as economic data from China and concerns over Spain's finances dampened sentiment.
US markets opened lower ahead of tomorrow's key jobs data, as the global sell-off gathered pace on negative news from Europe.
The FTSE 100 has dropped 2% as diminished expectations of more stimulus from the US Federal Reserve knock investor confidence.
The FTSE 100 has traded flat at the open after gaining 1.9% yesterday - a day which also saw leading US indices reach their highest levels in four years.
Investec Structured Products is set to launch its first UCITS fund, which will be available via wraps and platforms later this month.
A strong performance from US and Asian stocks has helped push global equity indices to their strongest start to a year since 1998.
Legal & General IM's Ben Gill expects the Bank of England may be forced to intervene to weaken sterling as it explores other forms of QE.