FTSE

London's leading share index is up nearly 1% today despite concerns over the European debt situation.

Baillie Gifford is re-naming and changing the objectives of two of its gilt funds.

Global stocks rallied on Friday on better eurozone news and stronger-than-expected manufacturing numbers in the US.

The FTSE dropped 0.72% to 5,535.8 in early trading as speculation over government plans to introduce a new bank windfall tax hit shares in the sector.

The Dow Jones has made early gains in trading as investors await the Fed's rate decision tomorrow and a possible extension of its quantitative easing programme.

The managers of the Henderson Managed Distribution fund have added put options and a short equity index future into the portfolio on expectations of near-term pressure for stock markets.

Banks and miners have powered the FTSE to a four-month high in afternoon trading after the Bank of England held interest rates at their historical lows.

The FTSE 100 opened higher, up 0.47% or 25.67 points to 5,453.82, in response to Friday's better than expected US jobs data.

The FTSE fell back slightly in early trading on Thursday despite strong overnight showings on Wall Street and in Asia.

Markets on both sides of the Atlantic have continued on their downward trajectory amid fears about the economic recovery.