FTSE

Markets across Europe have opened lower ahead of the Bank of England's decision on interest rates today.

UPDATE: The UK index of 100 leading stocks had jumped 58.87 points to 5921.81 by 2pm, an increase of 1%, led by rising commodity prices as civil unrest in Egypt continues.

Graham Ashby, head of UK equities at LV= Asset Management (LVAM) looks at the prospects for the UK equity market in the face of a weak economy.

The Dow Jones broke through the 12,000 level for the first time since June 2008 on Wednesday, following calls for a cut in corporate taxes and a unanimous vote by policymakers to maintain a $600bn bond-buying plan.

Kotak Mahindra is launching an Indian infrastructure investment trust in a bid to benefit from the $1trn the Indian government has pledged to spend in the sector within the next few years.

THE BIG INTERVIEW

The FTSE 100 has seen a significant drop down to 5,889.62, falling 1.46% as strong growth figures from China prompt monetary tightening concerns.

London's leading share index was down 0.37% at 5,954.39 in early trading on Thursday, hampered by disappointing results from US companies and weakness in Asia.

The FTSE is hovering below 6,000 at the start of this week's trading, down 0.04% or 2.6 to 5,999.45, as traders await the outcome of today's eurozone finance ministers' meeting in Brussels.

The FTSE fell back from yesterday's 31-month closing high in early trading Thursday, despite strong global gains overnight following a successful bond sale in Portugal.