FTSE

The FTSE 100 has soared in early trading, up 3.35% to 5294.55, as the markets took confidence from this weekend's €750bn rescue deal to defend the euro.

The UK's hung parliament on top of the Greek debt crisis weighed heavily on investor sentiment today as the FTSE plunged dramatically in afternoon trading.

The FTSE 100 jumped 53.6 points (1%) to 5,777.25 in early trading after Asian stocks rose overnight and concerns over a Greek default eased.

RISK MANAGEMENT

London's leading shares are showing slight gains this morning as a late recovery on Wall Street boosts investor sentiment.

The FTSE 100 was up by just 1.21 points at 5,724.64 in early trading as investors await government borrowing and retail sales figures due out later today.

Investec UK Smaller Companies reports top-quartile performance over three years

The FTSE has continued Friday's sharp rise in early trading - up 20.99 points (0.36%) at 5,791.97 - buoyed by the eurozone's agreement to offer a £30bn loan package to Greece.

The FTSE was up in early morning trading at 5717.92, rising 38.28 points (0.67%).

The budget is always an exciting day for those of us in the financial services industry.