FTSE

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.

City analysts believe the FTSE 100 could hit an all-time high of almost 7,000 points this year as the global economic recovery gathers pace.

A family-owned hedge fund will offer investors the chance to use Twitter posts to gauge the mood of the stockmarket.

The FTSE 100 is expected to receive a powerful boost from strong US markets overnight which hit highs last seen before the collapse of Lehman Brothers two years ago.

The FTSE was trading more than 40 points higher this morning at 5,933, its highest level since June 2008.

The FTSE has broken through the 5,900 barrier, up 0.56% or 32.89 to 5,904 at 3pm, to reach a 52-week high.

The FTSE had a volatile start to this week's trading as investor fears over the eurozone crisis took hold but the index is now up 0.12% to 5874.

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