FTSE

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.

The FTSE 100 has opened in the red, falling 0.23% or 13.67 points to 5,970.66 this morning as December's US non-farm payroll number, announced on Friday, came in well below forecasts.

US labour market data released today failed to meet expectations but Neptune's head of US equities Felix Wintle says the figures point to economic recovery.

The FTSE 100 has opened slightly up, building on gains on Wall Street and positive employment news in the US.